Wistaston Village fete enjoyed by hundreds of families

Hundreds of people enjoyed the annual Wistaston Village Fete organised by the Wistaston Community Council, writes Jonathan White.

It took place at Wistaston Church Lane Academy, on Church Lane, Wistaston, starting with a procession from Wistaston Memorial Hall led by Scottish Piper Reg Flower.

He was followed by Wistaston Scout group’s Beavers, Cubs and Scouts carrying the Union Flag, and St Mary’s Rainbows, Brownies and Guides.

The procession also included this year’s Wistaston Rose Queen Charlotte Shaw in a modern Rover 75 car and retiring Wistaston Rose Queen Poppy Bellingham, retiring Attendant Lyla Manfredi and this year’s Attendant Lucia Kemp in a Rover Tourer 1914 vintage car.

The procession was supported by Pochin Construction and Dutton Contractors for the fourth year running.

Once the procession had arrived at the Academy’s school hall Dane Chaplow (Chairman, Wistaston Community Council) thanked Academy Principal Mr Bancroft for allowing the Council to use his premises and also thanked his staff, participants, volunteers, sponsors and the general public for supporting the Fete.

Master of Ceremonies Ken Sambrook then introduced retiring Rose Queen Poppy who thanked Wistonians for their support and stated that the sum of £1,168.90 had been raised for Save the Children during her year of office.

St Mary’s Wistaston Rector Mike Turnbull then passed the crown and sash from Poppy to this year’s Rose Queen, Charlotte Shaw.

Charlotte stated that her chosen charity this year is Parkinson’s UK and the local Crewe & District Branch of Parkinson’s UK.

This year’s Wistonian of the year, John Wood, then officially opened the Fete.

Mayor of Cheshire East Cllr Barry Burkhill, accompanied by his wife Mayoress Sue Burkhill, thanked everyone for attending and hoped that they enjoyed the event.

The Fete’s theme this year was Space, as it is 50 years since man landed on the Moon.

The children’s fancy dress competition was won jointly by Florence and Purdy with their fabulous Moon Girl and Rocket Girl costumes respectively.

Bob Squirrell setup and monitored the sound system in the Arena which hosted a performance from Rock Choir.

In the school hall there was entertainment from the Wistaston Church Lane Academy Choir.

On the front playground there was a classic vehicle display featuring cars by Austin Healey, Armstrong Siddeley, Porsche, Triumph, Bentley, along with a Morris Commercial lorry and a Francis Barnett motorbike.

There was also a Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service appliance.

There were thirty-two stalls on the field representing local organisations and charities, as well as a children’s funfair.

Refreshments were available in the school hall and outside from the Wistaston Scout group.

Admission to the Fete was by donation and proceeds from the gate receipts and stalls go towards other Wistaston village events, such as the Flower and Produce Show, Spring and Christmas Concerts, and the November Fireworks Display.

Wistaston Community Council welcomes new members to help.

Visit http://www.wistastoncommunity.co.uk/ or search Wistaston Community Council on Facebook for further information.

(all images by Jonathan White)