web analytics

And then there was the Pearly Queen

Not exactly livestock. The pearlies are a charitable organization. Victorian street sweeper and colorful urchin Henry Croft was the first. He sewed pearl buttons to his clothes to raise attention to his fundraising for the local hospital.

When he died in 1930, he was followed by a procession of 400 pearly kings and queens. They raise money for lots of charitable organizations, traditionally hospitals.

I remembered pearlies in Mary Poppins, but on reflection, I think they’re just cockneys with ornamental buttons. They’re not quite buttony enough for royalty.

This lady seemed to enjoy having her picture taken, but she didn’t hit us up for any money.

Comments


Comment from Armybrat
Time: May 30, 2023, 9:16 pm

I remember seeing this when I was a kid! We were living in Germany and took the ferry across to visit one of the parent’s friends stationed in England.


Comment from Durnedyankee
Time: May 30, 2023, 11:31 pm

Pearly! Does she go? I’ll bet she does, I’ll bet she does, Know whatimean, know whatimean nudge nudge. Eh? Eh?

You keep posting lead ins for Monty Python sketches, you know that right? And the rabbit warren in my brain keeps letting hares loose that must be chased down all those old windy paths.

Write a comment

(as if I cared)

(yeah. I'm going to write)

(oooo! you have a website?)


Beware: more than one link in a comment is apt to earn you a trip to the spam filter, where you will remain -- cold, frightened and alone -- until I remember to clean the trap. But, hey, without Akismet, we'd be up to our asses in...well, ass porn, mostly.


<< carry me back to ol' virginny