A VILLAGE treasure hunt organised by Goostrey Parish Archive could become a permanent feature of the annual rose day following its success as part of last weekend's slimmed-down festival.
Goostrey Rose Day was replaced because of the coronavirus pandemic with a Goostrey Rose Day at Home linked with Dane Sound Radio and a parade of veteran steam engines and tractors through the village.
Archivist Stewart Smallwood, who created the treasure hunt and was also president of Goostrey Rose Day, was delighted with the competition, which provided families with a two-mile walk through the village spotting points of historic interest.
About 100 families took part and submitted more than 50 entry forms after searching for clues along the traditional rose day processional route from Booth Bed Lane to St Luke's Church in the original centre of the village.
A total of 14 returned their entries with all the answers correct which went into a hat to be drawn for three prizes provided by the archive and donors.
The winning family of Mandy, Martin, Heather and Cameron Padley, of Main Road, Goostrey, were presented by Stewart with a food and drinks hamper. They also received a certificate designed by archive member Jenny Walker showing a post-war map of Goostrey and a vintage picture of an early rose day from the Goostrey Parish Archive collection housed at the village hall.
The front of the certificate
In second were Guy, Jen, Luke, Harry and Joe Warburton, who received a homemade chocolate cola cake and a bottle of prosecco.
In third were Jackie, Paul and Catherine Flanders, who received a box of chocolates and a jar of damson gin jam.
Stewart said the archive originally planned to have a large display of items from its collection at Goostrey Rose Day, and the alternative treasure hunt had proved to be a popular substitute.
"It was a great success, and as well as the display we plan to put on next year we hope a treasure hunt will become part of our contribution to the festival," he said.
"Archive members are already planning for it by finding new clues and discovering more fascinating facts about the village to add to its collection. The winning families were delighted with their prizes."
Residents and Nigel Fallon from Goostrey News were thanked for contributing prizes.
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