Welcome to the official website of the

GOOSNARGH & WHITTINGHAM WHITSUNTIDE FESTIVAL  

The 2008 Whitsuntide Festival took place on Saturday 31st May and was a fantastic success.

Festival day dawned with a completely clear blue sky, which set the scene for the day. By 10am our new home at The Square had been set up with chairs, staging, refreshments tent and tables, first aid post and most importantly - portaloos!

The rest of the day went just as smoothly, with an air of excitement through the village throughout the morning. Around lunchtime the crowds began to gather around the Village Green, along with the bands, floats, fancy dress entrants, not to mention queens and their attendants.

As well as the visiting Queens from the surrounding villages and our own retiring Queen Sally Calder and her attendants, there was also of course the new Festival Queen for 2008-2009, Miss Poppy Haresape.

There was a touch of deja vu, given that Poppy was recently attendant herself to her older sister Daisy who was crowned queen in 2006.

Music through the day was provided by the excellent live jazz musicians as well as the Bolton Scottish Pipe Band, Eclipse Parade Band and The Longridge Band.

In addition there was of course the Maypole Dancing and also the Longridge Gymnastics Club display outside the Grapes Inn and Les Bushells.

The procession set off sharply at 2pm to work it's way down Church Lane onto Whittingham Lane. This year the parade turned into Bleasdale Road, with the floats assembling around The Square. There was plenty of space for all to enjoy the festivities.

The retiring Queen Sally offered thanks for all the support during her reign, followed by the crowning of Poppy as this year's Queen. Poppy addressed the crowd with a rhyme telling of her involvement with the Festival through the years.

There were repeat performances by the Maypole Dancers and the Longridge Gymnastics Club girls before the announcement of the float and fancy dress winners (see table below). Events on The Square were concluded with the drawing of the winning raffle tickets, before the procession wound it's way back to Goosnargh Village Hall for the traditional Festival Tea and all the fun of the fair.

This year has seen a fantastic amount raised for Festival funds, including over £1100 by the raffle ticket sellers and a fantastic £600 by the ice cream sellers (that's 600 ice cream cones sold!!!).

Many, many thanks to everyone who has helped in any and every way - all your efforts are very much appreciated.

Winners:

Many thanks to the judges, Mr & Mrs David & Sandra Maddocks for the floats and Mr & Mrs John & Barbara Holden for the fancy dress.

Don't forget to have a look at the Photo Gallery.

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