Market trader Barbara Vaughan made out a cheque to a wholesaler - and without thinking wrote the number ‘707’ in the amount box.
It showed just how excited she was about winning a holiday in America and flying there in a Boeing 707 jetliner.
Barbara, of Hyde Road, Denton, had three stalls on Hyde Market in partnership with her brother selling soaps and detergents.
A soap firm was offering 100 prizes of US holidays. Each time Barbara opened a newly delivered box of soap, the entry forms were there for the taking, so she filled in a handful.
She could not believe it when she heard she had won. “I’ve never won a thing in my life, not even an argument!”
On September 27, Barbara would be jetting off with 100 prizewinners from across the British Isles for the week-long trip, which included a tour of New York City, a cruise to Manhattan Island and visit to the World’s Fair.
Barbara’s husband Kenneth would be staying at home to look after their five-year-old daughter Amanda - but they had not missed out on a family holiday having already been away for a week in Polzeath, Cornwall.
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From the Reporter files - Thursday 4th September 2025
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