Exhibition and 1930s family weekend to celebrate 80th birthday of St Neots quads

A weekend of events is being planned for later this month to celebrate the 80th birthday of the famous St Neots quads.

The 1930’s Party Weekend, which will be officially opened by the quads who were born on November 28, 1935, is being held at the St Neots Museum and will feature an exhibition of 1930’s toys and other items connected with babies and children from the era.

Museum curator Liz Davies is appealing to the members of the public to lend the museum old toys and nursery items for the display on November 28 and 29, which will be open from 11am till 4pm. The event will include family activities, period music, a cafe and 1930’s characters, including a chimney sweep.

“In particular, we are looking for toys and a chair similar to one the quads would have slept in when newly born, as well as information and photographs from the 1930s to supplement our existing items and give a flavour of children’s lives during the 1930s, said Mrs Davies.

Mrs Davies said there was a lot of excitement about the event which will feature the story of the lives of Ernest, Paul, Michael and Ann Miles who were born seven weeks prematurely at a house in Ferrars Avenue, Eynesbury.

“They are the town’s most famous celebrities and although this kind of event wouldn’t make headline news now, due to advances in medicine, by the standards of the time it was incredible that all four babies survived.”

The quad’s father, Walter Miles, told The Hunts Post of the time: “I am no longer Walter Miles, lorry driver, I am the father of the St Neots quads,”

The babies were later transferred to a “Dr Harrison’s house” in New Street for some specialist care and four nurses from Great Ormond Street were sent to help look after them.

INFO: If you have any items you would be willing to lend the museum for the exhibition, contact Liz Davies or a volunteer at the museum on 01480 214163 or email: curators@stneotsmuseum.org.uk.