It didn’t, but royalty just missed a soaking

Mayor and mayoress meet Whaley’s royal

Whaley Bridge’s Rose Queen Festival was lucky – it didn’t rain on their parade. One of the best processions in recent years got round the town in dry weather, cheered on by big crowds.

In the marquee ‘palace’: visiting royalty greet hosts

But as visiting royalty and Whaley Bridge’s  own entourage – Princess Seren, nine and Rosebud Katie, with Kiera Jade,  a ‘personality’ rosebud and Bethany, a petal – reached the Bowling Club for the ‘court of queens’, a short, sharp shower arrived.  A marquee was hurriedly converted into a mini palace where the young royalty and their expensive dresses kept dry as queens from around the High Peak greeted their hosts.

Scouts and guides recreate Major Tim’s space adventure

Festival chair Tim Mourne was delighted with the day: “The new committee has worked very hard.  I was particularly pleased with the support we received from the village, entering into the spirit of the festival.  One of the best for years. We’ve already started planning next year.”

High Peak mayor George Wharmby and his mayoress Jean visited the festival.  They met the royalty and later joined the procession in Coun David Lomax’s 1937 Morris 8.  It attracted a lot of cheers.