Wistaston Village Fete

For only the second time in its thirty-two year history the Fete, which is organised by the Wistaston Community Council, was forced to take place mainly indoors due to rain. The event, which had a Queen's Diamond Jubilee theme, therefore took place within St Mary's Church and inside and in front of the adjacent Church hall on Church Lane, Wistaston.

The event began with a procession along Church Lane from Wistaston Memorial Hall led by bagpiper Reg Flower, followed by the 35th South West Cheshire Scout group with Union Jack flag, last year's Wistaston Rose Queen (Sophie Webb) in a vintage car and this year’s Wistaston Rose Queen (Daisy Wybrow) and her Attendant (Emma Bishop) in a sports car. Once the procession had reached St Mary's Church, the Fete was officially opened by Helen Jones who is the daughter of Wistonian of the Year Sheena Sambrook and the Reverend Ken Sambrook. The Wistaston Rose Queen (Daisy Wybrow) for 2012 was then crowned by the Reverend Mike Turnbull who is the vicar of the Church.

Wistaston Conservation Group - l-r - Roy Tomkinson - David O'Hara - Councillor Dorothy Flude - Dane Chaplow. Roy Tomkinson (member) - David O'Hara (project manager), http://wistastonconservationgroup.org.uk/

In the Church there were performances by bagpiper Reg Flower (http://www.cheshirepipeband.co.uk) and the Dee Sign Choir (http://www.deesignchoir.co.uk). There was also a Jubilee flower festival in the Church featuring flower arrangements and displays produced by Di Carter, Jenny Shirt and many other Church flower people along with a donation box for the Vestry Roof Repair Fund to replace recently stolen lead from the Church.

In the Church hall on the stage there were performances by Zumba fitness, a Rhythmic Display from the Cheshire Academy of Integrated Sports and Arts (http://www.disabilitysport.com), Miss Caroline’s Street Dancing and Chris White on his ukulele.

There were over twenty-five stalls representing local organisations and charities within the Church hall and on the grassy area in front of it. Refreshments were served in the hall.

The Deputy Mayor of Cheshire East Council (Councillor Dorothy Flude) was a special guest and was shown around the Fete by Dane Chaplow and Geoff Armitage from the Wistaston Community Council.

Admission to the Fete was by donation and proceeds from the door receipts and Wistaston Community Council stalls will go towards other Wistaston village events, such as the Flower and Produce Show, Spring and Christmas Concerts, and the November Fireworks Display. The weather didn't put people off attending and the event was enjoyed by several hundred people.

Dane Chaplow (Chairman, Wistaston Community Council) said, "Despite the weather and the last minute changes we had an excellent turnout. Wistonian's have once again turned out in big numbers to support the Fete. We hope that lots of money is raised for the Wistaston Community Council and local charities. Once again the Reverend Mike Turnbull and his Church have been very supportive."

Rose Queen - l-r - Emma Bishop - Daisy Wybrow - Rev Mike Turnbull - Sophie Webb. The crowning ceremony.