MTA/5/1/2/14

MTA/5/1/2/14

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My Story Memory: A memory about the person who won the competition to name the theatre in 1987

1986

MAYFLOWER HISTORY UPDATE ~ PLUS MEMORIES I have just been reading the History of the Mayflower Theatre on the website and was surprised that you were missing a little of the history. Margaret Newman of Hythe Hants was the lady who won the competition to select a new name ‘The Mayflower’ One Hundred and One people selected the name ‘Mayflower’. Margaret Newman was the outright winner with the slogan “A pilgrimage to Southampton will be well worth while.” A dressing room was named after her “The Margaret Newman Dressing Room” and Jack Candy, Mayor of Southampton at the time presented two certificates to her to confirm that she was the outright winner of this competition. The Theatre changed its name 29 January 1987 Margaret Newman was not invited to the first night when the Theatre opened again although the press reported that she was in attendance and how much she enjoyed the show! Margaret Newman did attend the Gala Concert and the official opening and the reception afterwards where she met the stars of the show including Neil Sedaka a charming gentleman. I am so pleased that it has been such a success.