A raffle with the top prize of a new house was drawn. It was organised to raise money for the Memorial Hospital by the local Rotary Club, whose members had given the land in Latimer Street, designed and built the house, and then sold the tickets.
‘All the counterfoils – about 11,000 of them – were rolled up and placed in a bed tick and Mrs L. Richmond, of Ipswich, drew out 440,’ reported the Echo. A bed tick was a large bag for keeping bedding in, but Mrs Richmond’s involvement is unexplained.
The paper continued: ‘She then made a second draw of 44, and in turn reduced these to five. From these, three were selected, and the draw proper then made.’ B1579 was unrolled. On the back, it said: ‘RG Suggett, Humor Villa, Eastbourne Road, Darlington.’
The Echo explained: ‘Mr Suggett is well known, not only in Eastbourne – the ward he represents on the town council – but all over the town and in the dales. He has been a member of the council for eight years, and in various committees has rendered valuable service.’ Rotary, comprised of many councillors, had contrived to give its star prize to a councillor.
Councillor Suggett, for his part, said: ‘It is a very pleasant surprise. It is the first time I have ever won anything in a draw.’
(‘Memories’, The Northern Echo, 2007)