MAdam, my sister Tilly Wilson called to see me today, and asked if I had seen last week's Ross Gazette, which I hadn't read, so it was lovely to see your article on teenage fashions in the 1960s.
Tilly was the first person to work in The Birdcage and when she left to have twins in 1974 I was asked by the owners if I would like her job. I was working at CeeJay's, a craft shop opposite Lloyds bank at the time, (who remembers this shop?) and jumped at the chance!
Being just 17 years old and fashion crazy, it was a happy time and a very popular boutique. The owners were Vivian and Janet Carpenter who also owned the do-it-your-self shop at the top of town, they were lovely people and used to let Angela, Helen (the other girls who worked there at the time,) and myself take it in turns to go to London to do the buying,
Exciting times! Especially the one weekend Donny Osmond was in London, you could hear the screaming as we travelled through London, Angela and myself both went on to win The Miss Ross-on-Wye title. I have included a here is a photo of me giving over my title to Angela in 1976, the lovely Cape was made by the late Joan Ollis, a wonderful lady. Now I have a confession to make, the dress I am wearing was not from the Birdcage, I bought it from C and A.
Sadly the Birdcage closed in 1977 as the lease on the do-it-yourself shop ran out and the owners transferred the business to the Birdcage premises before it was sold to build the new shopping centre, The Maltings.
Tilly and I had a wonderful afternoon remembering the Birdcage of Ross-on-Wye, thank you for prompting such great memories. I am still in touch with the owners who still have shops in Coleford and Cinderford
Caroline Parrett, Whitchurch