GIRLS REFUSE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20071, 18 October 1939, Page 14

GIRLS REFUSE

“LADY GODIVA” ROLE WAGER WON BY MAN Richard Lee, a dairy manager, living at Birley Moor road, Sheffield, burlesqued .‘‘Lady Godiva” with great success in the Frechville carnival parade at Sheffield the other day. And he won a £5 wager from a business competitor who dared him to play the part publicly. No girl resident in the district would volunteer for the historic role. Up to the last minute, Lee was anxious about finding a suitable charger. The only one ottered was a milk-white mare, which, at a parade, proved band-shy, and rather unstable for a man without riding experience. Then a firm of tea merchants offered Maisie, who, though a chestnut and not the traditional white horse, showed complete indifference to drums and blaring cornets, and calmly bore hei rider through. streets packed with people, who proclaimed Richard Lee as "Lord Godiva.” Clad in much-darned tights, a flowing red robe, and a wig of long golden tresses, Lee rode side-sadle on a piece of red cloth straped to Maisie’s back. From time to time he powdered his nose with a massive puff and held a bunch of carrots tied to a rod and line before his charger’s nose. Young Mrs. Lee, who laughed as heartily as anybody along the route, declared later: “I knew Richard would go through with it. It hasn't seemed to worry him at all.”