Trio identified - and that's no bull

Because we've scored a bull's-eye in being able to identify the pair hidden under the bovine costume in Bishop's Castle 60 years ago.

We published this picture the other day which was emailed in by Paula Middleton of the shop H. Gwyther & Son Ltd at 31-33 Church Street in the town.

Paula, who came across it among some paperwork at the shop, was hoping readers might be able to provide some more information. She already knew it was taken outside the previous family shop premises at 57 Church Street, which her parents had bought in 1957, so dated from around then.

Now she has emailed us to let us know the response.

"You made a very nice piece on the bullfighter picture and it’s yielded further information," she said.

"Mrs Janet Preshous brought us another two photos and filled us in on who the people were. The photo was taken at Bishop's Castle carnival in 1958. Ted Powell, the barber, was the matador and Vic Lloyd and Doug Williams were dressed as the bull.

"A customer who used to live nearby said that when he was a boy they used to say 'Ted Powell the Barber, came to shave my father; the razor slipped and cut his lip, Ted Powell the Barber!'

"But that is not all. In the hospice shop at lunchtime, of all the things to find, was a teddy bear dressed as a matador. What were the chances of that?!

"My mother was very amused to see the photo in the paper. I hope it has triggered cheerful memories for other locals."

Paula added: "I remembered an incident from my distant childhood which links with that photo, albeit in a theme only.

"On one of my visits with my grandparents in Knighton, a customer came in who my grandfather told me had saved a man from being gored by a bull. She was given a medal for her bravery. I can't remember her name now, but I think she came from Beguildy, near Knighton, and I think she was awarded the George Medal, which was quite something.

"My grandfather said that she had clung onto the bull's head by its horns until the man it was attacking was safe. I always wondered how on earth she got away herself. I'm not sure, but she might have been in the Land Army and by the time I met her, was married to a local farmer."