Club Day to be biggest and best

The traditional morning procession through the streets, starting from Station Road at 10am and featuring a host of local organisations’ colourful floats, will be followed by the crowning of new rose queen Emily Leaper in the Hall grounds and a glittering array of fun and games.

New branding, featuring Lytham’s distinctive windmill and a traditional Lancashire red rose, has been introduced this year to promote the event following a grant of £1,900 from Fylde Council’s Community Projects Fund. and again special vintage buses will run to and from the afternoon entertainment venue at the Hall.

Organisers’ spokesman Andrea Swindlehurst said: “We are thrilled to be back at the Hall and are looking forward to another successful festival.

“On Saturday morning we will have the usual fabulous parade of churches, local groups, children’s and adults’ fancy dress, businesses and of course our rose queens, not forgetting our wonderful ‘cadgers’, who will be out and about rattling their buckets to raise money for next year.”

“Once the procession has finished everyone is invited to catch the vintage bus outside Serco/Aegon in Ballam Road and come up to Lytham Hall. Cars can park on the Serco/Aegon car park and either be collected later on Saturday or even on Sunday morning, There isn’t any vehicular access to the Hall.

“The buses will again be running all afternoon and evening to and from the Hall and the afternoon will start with the crowning of the Rose Queen, prizegiving and raffle draw from about 1.45pm until approximately 3pm, with the entertainment that follows including junior funfair rides, children’s archery, afternoon sports and craft stalls.

“There will be more and varied food sellers this year including an afternoon tea tent, hog roast, barbecue and ice creams, while everyone is welcome to bring along their own picnics and drinks.

“We are also thrilled to be joined by a re-enactment society who will be hosting a living history tent with children’ activities.

“At 6pm we will begin our evening entertainment with a family ceilidh until 8pm where everyone can dance the night away to the sounds of the steel band before travelling back on the last bus at around 10.30pm.”

For the first time this year, organisers are suggesting a minimum donation of £1 per adult for the afternoon and evening entertaiment, with Andrea adding: “While our move to Lytham Hall was very much the right thing to do, it does cost more and we have therefore taken the decision to suggest the minimum donation.

“Obviously we hope that everyone will give as much as they can or feel the day warrants we equally don’t want anyone to be put off from coming to the Hall and so we think £1 covers everyone.

“Club Day costs around £20.000 to £25,000 to put on each year and it is funded by sponsorship and fundraising and the aim of the event is for friends, families and everyone to come together to enjoy a wonderful day of celebration and entertainment.”

The weekend at the Hall will be rounded off with a Songs of Praise-style concert in the marquee from 3pm on Sunday afternoon, while on the triangle at the west end of Lytham Green, Cubbins’ traditional fair will be open from Thursday through to Monday.

Emily Leaper representing St; John’s Church, will be crowned Lytham rose queen in succession to Jenny Pope on Saturday afternoon.

The 16-year-old student of Carr Hill High School, Kirkham will be assisted by her sister Alice as her chief maid, Eleanor Barr, Evie Jayner, Isla Martin and Izabella Robinson her retinue together with Alexandra Lindsay. her flower girl.

Emily’s favourite subjects at school are art and textiles and she has enjoyed designing the dresses for her retinue. In her spare time, Emily is involved with Step Up, the young people’s service while she enjoys swimming and watching films.