Festival was huge success despite hall being closed

A community which rallied following the winter floods celebrated its annual Whitsuntide Festival in style, despite the village hall still being closed.

Water damage had ruled out the use of the usual Festival HQ, Kirkland Village Hall, but organisers of the Churchtown and District Children’s Festival vowed the show would go on ... and what a fabulous festival it was.

A marquee was hired to use instead of the hall and newly crowned Queen Marianne Chapman-Fox and her retinue had a regal day to remember.

The event launched with a procession, led by Blackpool Brass Band and the Churchtown Boddington Bells Morris Men, retiring Queen Ellie Singleton and new Queen Marianne and their etinues.

Local organisations, VIPs, visiting Queens, the Red Rose Jazz Band and a host of well decorated floats and inspired fancy dress entries completed the parade which made its way to St Helen’s church, where a short service was led by the Rev. Andrew Wilkinson.

The parade wound back through the village to the hall’s grounds where the vicar officially opened the Festival and the new Queen was crowned by Tessa Chapman.

Entertainment was provided by the Uclan Samba Band with other attractions including zorb balls, a bouncy castle and slide, donkey rides, stalls, tombola and games. Teams from local schools competed in a football contest with St Thomas’ CE Primary school winning the final match against Garstang Community Primary School.

Events concluded with a family disco in the marquee with a fish and chip supper. Commentary throughout the day was provided by DJ Darrel Edwards.

The Committee would like to thank the fantastic Darrell Edwards for his excellent commentary throughout the day and into the evening and everyone who contributed to the Festival in any way.

Committee secretary Amanda Hall said: “The organising of the festival has been especially difficult this year due to the hall being out of action.

“The day would not have been possible without the support of so many individuals and businesses.

“A special thanks has to go to Andrew Russell and Dorothy Walmsley who have done such a lot this year and the festival would no doubt have not gone ahead if it wasn’t for all their efforts.”