Rose Day president Julia Sewell crowns the 2021 Goostrey Rose Queen Cate Clayton
Photo by Isobel Green
Goostrey Rose Queen is eventually crowned
Cate Clayton was eventually crowned Goostrey Rose Queen in a unique covid-secure ceremony on Saturday (26 June).
14-year-old Cate, who was chosen to be the village Rose Queen in March 2020 but could not be crowned last year because of the pandemic, received the crown from Rose Festival President Julia Sewell. Cate was accompanied by her attendants Zara Comb; Petra Hamilton; Zoe Henry and Katie Hicks.
The president also crowned the Rose Bud Queen Rose Worsley who was joined by her lady in waiting Nell Booth and attendants Lucia Gregory; Chloe Wilford and Jasmine Ashmore.
The ceremony, watched by social distancing villagers, took place on the grassed area off Booth Bed Lane before a short procession made its way down Main Road to the Church.
Led by a traction engine, the procession was joined by the silver queens, Sarah Green who was Rose Queen in 1995 and Shabawn Farrall who had the starring role the following year, as well as Rose Day stalwart 98-year-old Margaret Kettle, accompanied by Dave Burgess, who rode in a classic car driven by Steve Edwards. When the queens arrived at the church, they laid a wreath and floral arrangement on the war memorial.
In other activity, a team of bakers made cakes that were delivered to more than 100 villagers as part of the celebrations. Last year as part of Rose Day at Home, which the committee organised because of the Covid lockdown, cakes were dispatched to residents who were isolated because of the pandemic.
It was such a success and so much appreciated by the recipients that the committee again asked Isabella Smith and Natalie Gomes, who usually organise the Rose Day teas in the village hall, to lead a group of volunteers to bake batches of small cakes.
The delicacies were then delivered by a group of children lead by Lucy Boardman, aged 12 who also designed a special card from the Rose Day committee which was inserted in the bags alongside the cakes.
Following on from last year’s successful Rose Day at Home there was again a special programme broadcast on Dane Sound Radio on Saturday and repeated on Sunday.
The usual prize draw was well supported with all tickets sold. The winner of the first prize, a child’s bike, donated by Bikes N Gears of Knutsford, was Harry Davies, a Year 2 pupil at Goostrey School.
On Sunday, the Rose Queen and Rose Bud Queen attended a special service at St Luke’s.
Chair of the Rose Day committee Christina Burgess said:
“I am delighted that Goostrey residents were able to celebrate our Rose Festival in 2021 despite the challenges of Covid – and we didn’t need the umbrellas!
“In any year, this is a large event to organise, but this year has been particularly challenging. However, despite that, we’ve kept the tradition alive and we hope to be back to normal in 2022.”
Goostrey Rose Queen 2021 Cate Clayton centre is pictured with her attendants left to right: Petra Hamilton; Zara Comb; Zoe Henry and Katie Hicks.
Photo by Isobel Green
The Competitions winners were:
The Edward Simpson for pebble art by a child aged up to 7:
1st – Elle Howson aged 7
2nd – Amy Bayes aged 7
3rd – Zack Lomax aged 7
The Jim Schofield Cup for pebble art by a child aged 8-11
1st – Finn Frith aged 9
2nd – Will Gregory aged 9
3rd – Lucia Gregory aged 8
The Craft Plate for a Summer door wreath
1st – Karen Wilson
2nd – Sarah Greene
3rd – Deborah Bayes
The Hodgson Cup for a planter including at least one rose
1st – Heulwen Davies
2nd – Sue Heap
3rd – Jill Brown
The Colin and Jean Smallwood Trophy for best homemade banner: Gay Fox