GOOSTREY Rose Day stalwart Margaret Kettle made a surprise appearance in the mini-procession that made its way through the village on Saturday.

After Dave Burgess realised how disappointed 97-year-old Margaret was that Rose Day had been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic he arranged for a trailer to transport her in style from one end of Goostrey to the other.

Knutsford Guardian:

Margaret, who takes part in the Rose Day procession every year, was driven through the village on a special float behind a traction engine that led an array of vehicles including a steamroller, vintage tractors and a campervan carrying the Rose Bud Queen Rose Worsley and her three attendants, Lucia Gregory, Chloe Wilford and Jasmine Ashmore.

Knutsford Guardian:

When the girls arrived at the church Rose placed a bouquet from her garden on the war memorial.

Although Rose Day had been cancelled in March the organising committee encouraged people to still celebrate the occasion by hanging up flags and bunting in the usual way and holding an afternoon tea party in their garden while listening to a special programme on Dane Sound Radio.

Knutsford Guardian:

The three-hour programme, which was broadcast online, included the thoughts of villagers and young people on past Rose Days, music associated with the event, some of the history which dates back more than 100 years and a special link to the children of Elizabethfontein School in South Africa, who had been due to visit Goostrey this year.

Rose Queen elect 12-year-old Cate Clayton and volunteer bakers delivered cakes to more than 80 households where people have been isolating during the lockdown. A special card designed by Cate was included with the cakes.

Knutsford Guardian:

Chris Burgess, chairman of Rose Day, said: “Rose Day at Home was very different but a great success.

“It shows how much our annual event means to villagers who were determined to make the most of it. They enthusiastically put up the flags and bunting, held garden tea parties and entered the competitions we were able to set up.

Knutsford Guardian:

“The programme on Dane Radio captured the essence of Rose Day beautifully and I would like to thank Alison Wright and Debra Cummins for their hard work in putting it together.

“I am delighted Margaret Kettle was able to take her place in the procession thanks to all the drivers who got together to make it happen.

Knutsford Guardian:

“I know the cakes our Rose Queen elect Cate and the team of bakers delivered were very much appreciated by those who received them.

“The committee was very disappointed when we had to cancel Rose Day but rallied round and worked hard to make sure Goostrey could still celebrate, and this year’s unusual event will be remembered for many years to come.”

Knutsford Guardian:

The competition winners were as follows: Edward Simpson Cup for a robot by a child aged up to seven, William Beardworth; Jim Schofield Cup for a robot by a child aged eight to 11, Tom Machin; Craft Plate for pin cushion, Mandy Padley; Hodgson Cup for a country cottage garden, Janet Ollier; Colin and Jean Smallwood Trophy for best homemade banner, Gay Fox.

Knutsford Guardian:

Knutsford Guardian:

The village family treasure hunt, with the prize of a small hamper, arranged by this year’s Rose Day president Stewart Smallwood, was won by the Padley family, second prize went to the Warburtons and the Flanders came third.