June comes to an exciting finale this week, with more excitement spilling over into July. The Rose Queen Carnival parade is this Saturday( 29th June). Many fingers have been  crossed successfully and the very latest BBC weather reports(29th June 02.35am) suggest it will be a “mostly dry day with bright or sunny periods, after early patches of mist and low cloud clear. Feeling pleasantly warm” !

Rose queen Annabel and her retinue will be the focus of attention

Whaley Bridge’s weather outlook for Saturday 29 June – Carnival day – is now looking GOOD .  Those fingers are staying crossed for the parade, the crowning and the Spitfire flight over Whaley Bridge at about 2.50pm. Rain or shine, the Whaley Art Group’s annual exhibition takes place all day on Saturday in the Uniting Church. Lots of pictures to see and buy.

Welldressing volunteers start the long task to creating beauty

On Sunday, the Welldressing Blessing takes place at the Canal Basin, and into the following week.  In the last hours before the Welldressing Blessing,  an ‘intruder’ caused one of the volunteers to have to repair her dressing.  Rosemary Wignall arrived early at the marquee  and got a surprise when a mouse jumped from the dressing she was preparing.  Overnight, the mouse had helped itself to the sunflower seeds in the dressing, and trampled down some flower petals used to build up the ‘picture’.  None of the women volunteers could bear the thought of buying a mousetrap.

The Rose Queen committee  has a number of events in early July: the traditional pet show and two brand new family attractions – Continue Reading →

The annual switching on of  the Xmas Lights in Whaley Bridge will take place on Friday 30th November at 7pm following the arrival of Father Christmas at the Canal basin at 6pm. The children can meet Father Christmas from 6.15pm in the Christmas Grotto being held in Footsteps , and there will be street entertainment from Powderkegs  and refreshments and a Christmas market in the Mechanics Institute. There will also be carol singing accompanied by Whaley Bridge Brass Band.

Come along and enjoy what is always a busy communal evening.

A team of students from Stockport College completed a four day makeover at the pavilion in Whaley Bridge’s ‘sports village’, painting and decorating the cement walls and giving the doors and cupboards a classic ‘mahogany look’.  They even cleaned up old marks on the copper pipes in case anyone though they had  caused  them and not bothered to clean up!

Stockport College painting and decorating team at sports pavilion

It was all part of the curriculum for the 13 students, aged 16-19, giving them practical experience outside the college.  It will go towards Continue Reading →

This is a superb local show , held annually at the Whaley Bridge Bowling Club. As well as the traditional entries including flowers, giant onions, tomatoes,leeks and carrots and so on , there will also be entries for Arts and Crafts,Baking,Jams and Chutnies,Photography and Homecraft. Nearly 100 different sections in all. There is also a childrens section, sponsored by the Whaley Rose Queen festival.

Some Stunning Colours from the 2011 Show

There are Cream teas on the day, a tombola and a raffle. It’s all indoors so a great place to be if the weather doesn’t oblige.

If you want to enter your own vegetables , jams ,wines or anything else into any of the 83 different categories or 11 childrens categories, please contact Mr C Heathcote on 01663 733466 or Mr G Slater on 01663 733140 . Full details of the rules and all the categories and classes are found HERE.

There is also a childrens section with 11 different categories, sponsored by the Whaley Bridge Rose Queen Festival committee.

Admission is FREE

Perhaps one of the most exciting parts of the day is the charity auction at the end, where you have the opportunity to bid for many of the goods on show. It takes place at around 4pm after the prize presentations and really is good fun.

This is a great local event to come along and support. The Giant Onions have to be seen to be believed !

This summer , starting on the 24th July, there will be a number of free sporting activities in Whaley Bridge Memorial Park . No need to book – Just turn up to the Pavillion by the Football Fields and join in.

The following activities will be available :

Oz Box: Boxing based Fitness Activity. Non-Contact training.  Become involved in a gym environment that is based on boxing traditions. For children aged 7 and above. Girls and Boys. Tuesday 31st July,7th and 14th August 10.30pm-12.30pm

Sporting Activities: Multisport activities, such as Football, cricket and rounders.For children aged 7 and above. Girls and Boys. Tuesday 24th,31stJuly, 7th,14th 21st and 28th August, Wednesday 1st,8th,15th,22nd August, Thursday 26th July,2nd,9th,16th,23rd 30th August. All session 1.30pm-3.30pm

Family Fun: Multisport activities such as cricket, Rounders and Football. For children under 7. Girls and Boys. Monday,6th and 8th August 10.30am-12.30pm

Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing for sports activities.

A handy calender to print can be found here

For some more detail see Continue Reading →