Johnny's so long at the fair

It’s that time of the year when we are once again looking forward to our annual Cheadle Festival on Saturday 8th June. Unlike last year the weather is looking promising and we’re hoping the warm weather will bring out local residents to our little corner and help us celebrate the charity and raise some much needed funds.

Cheadle Festival, 2012

The festival has been a prominent feature of the charity since the move to Cheadle and is now in its 92nd year. Below is an extract from July 1923 when the event was in its early days.

“Saturday’s garden fete and carnival was organised on a most extensive scale, and commenced with a procession of decorated cars and motor vehicles, which assembled at Parrs Wood, East Didsbury at about two o’clock, one of which had prominently displayed a huge black cat. The route was via Wilmslow Road to Cheadle Green where the procession was headed by a charabanc containing the Gatley Prize Band, which played appropriate music. The procession proceeded to the Gatley War Memorial, back to Wilmslow Road and then on to Belmont. Large crowds of sightseers lined the roadway, a number of collectors in fancy dresses being busy en route taking a collection.”

Fountain, Belmont, Cheadle

“The attractions of the fete were many and various, not the least of which was the beauty of the grounds, which contain many noble trees and a charming rose garden in the centre of which is a large fountain. A number of large marquees had been erected in the grounds and in these a series of concerts etc took place. A feature which attracted much favour was the programme of children’s dances which took place on the tennis lawn and included a maypole dance by local children. An army of willing workers acted as waiters at the refreshment stalls, flower girls and showmen.”

Dancing, 1930s

This year the Cheadle Festival contains a wide variety of attractions including stalls, arts and crafts, face painting, live music, a funfair featuring traditional exciting and inflatable rides and a range of refreshments from a traditional terrace cafe to burger and fries. The main attraction revolves around the It’s a Knockout competition, where teams compete to outscore each other on various tasks involving water, foam, silly costumes and a giant obstacle course.

We have our own Together Trust team competing this year so come along and give us some support!