GOOSTREY rose queens and crown bearers from bygone years are being officially invited to take part in this year’s event which takes place on Saturday, June 27.

 For the first time the gold and silver queens from 50 and 25 years ago will have an official role in the ceremony which will see 13-year-old Ellie Davies crowned Goostrey Rose Queen 2015.

Fifty years ago the rose queen was Rosemary Bloor (Kellett) while Rebecca Wainwright was crowned in 1990.

It so happens that the crown bearer in 1965 was Roger Burgess, the husband of the current Chair of the Rose Day Committee Christina.

25 years ago James Pierpoint was the crown bearer.

Having taken part in the procession through the village the four will be presented to this year’s queen during the crowning ceremony.

Chair Christina said: “Goostrey Rose Day creates life long memories and no more so than for the actual queen.

"Therefore, it should come as no surprise that many former queens, who may now be mothers and in some cases grandmothers, have fond memories of the year they were queen. Indeed, many make a big effort to come back to Goostrey when it is a milestone such as the 50th or 25th anniversary of their big day.

“With this in mind the committee has decided that from now it will recognise the golden and silver queens and formally invited them to take part in the Rose Day celebrations.”

This year’s queen, Ellie, who lives in Twemlow Lane, Twemlow, and who attends Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School will be accompanied by attendants: Emilia Brierley; Charlotte Jones; Kate Mellor; Erisa Mizunoue; Heather Padley; Leanne Smith and India Tate.

Zara Comb will be the Rosebud Queen with Cody Wakefield as her Lady in Waiting and Charlotte Hunsley, Fay Mason and Petra Hamilton as the attendants.

More than 200 children will take part in the procession from Booth Bed Lane to the school field which will start at 1pm. The crowning ceremony will begin at 2pm.

This year the Rose Day President is David Giles, the Group Scout Leader and the driving force behind the proposed construction of a new Scout Hut and Youth Facility in the heart of Goostrey on the site of the derelict youth centre.

The proceeds from the teas served in the village hall on the afternoon will go towards the fundraising efforts for the new premises.

As well as traditional Maypole dancing by the children from Goostrey School, the crowds will be entertained by the West Lancs Dog Display Team.

In the evening there will be a Ceilidh on the school field.