Goostrey Rose Day is seeking new supporters

The Rose Day has been financially supported for many years by a number of very loyal and generous patrons, and is looking for new benefactors to step forward to help preserve the event.

With costs such as insurance and road closures continuing to rise, the committee for the largest village rose festival in South Cheshire is hoping new supporters will step forward and become a patron.

The annual event attracts about 2,000 visitors a year from the village and the wider Cheshire area.

Patrons will receive free access to the Rose Festival for two adults, two patrons’ badges, two free draw tickets, their name in the Rose Festival programme on the website and its social media presence as well as inclusion in a patrons’ roll call on the day.

Christina Burgess, chairman of Goostrey Rose Day said: “We are very grateful to our long-standing patrons who have supported us over many years.

“However with costs continuing to rise we thought it's time for us to seek new supporters, especially from those who have recently moved to the area or have children in our local school.

“Goostrey Rose Day, which has been going for well over 100 years, is an integral part of our village life and incredibly well attended.

“I do hope there will be people who feel they can make a modest contribution to help preserve this important Cheshire tradition."

Rose Day treasurer Elaine Clark said: "Whilst there is no fixed fee to become a patron a commitment of at least £30 a year for a household would help enormously to cover the escalating costs of insurances, road closures, first aid coverage and all the other associated behind-the-scenes costs of hosting such a spectacular event.”

Anyone interested in becoming a patron is asked to email Rose Day treasurer Elaine Clark at eclark@eclark.co.uk

The hottest Goostrey Rose Festival in living memory saw 13-year-old Samantha Drucker crowned queen last summer.

Crowds lined Main Road to watch the procession, which was made up of floats and walking groups.

Christina Burgess said after the event: “This was possibly the best ever weather for our annual event, and I was delighted to see so many villagers turn out to support us.

“Rose Day is a traditional village event and yet again it was a great success, but it would not have been possible without all the hard work put in by the committee and countless other volunteers.”