Cheadle Fetes and Festivals: 1921 and Now

The final plans are currently being put in place for the Join Together Festival this weekend which continues the long tradition of summer celebrations, festivals and fetes run by the Charity since it’s inception in 1870.

Before the Charity’s move to Cheadle, garden fetes were held by individual services to raise funds, such as those undertaken by the Charity’s Bethesda Home then based in Salford for children with disabilities, and by the seaside convalescent home in Old Colwyn. The purchase in 1920 of over 20 acres of land in Cheadle provided the perfect opportunity to hold a larger celebration. By May 1921 the Charity’s magazine put out a call for flags and bunting to help decorate the house and grounds for the event.

The first fete in Cheadle took place on 23 July 1921 opened by Lord Mayor of Manchester and saw 2000 people pass through making £858 9s 1d. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t kind and despite a glorious summer, the day itself brought rain. An account of the various entertainments offered refers to brass bands, a fancy dress parade, a flower show, a Punch and Judy show, coconut stall, hoop-la stall, hat trimming competition, and a ducking stool. Intriguingly activities also included a ‘search for hidden gold’ and ‘Madam Tellem’ who forecast the futures of the fete’s patrons.

PH/1/6/1/17 Dancing round the maypole at the Belmont Garden Fete c.1920s

Along with raising funds, the first fete hoped to introduce the local Cheadle community to the Charity’s work, having only recently moved the first children from the Salford orphan homes onto the Cheadle site. This plan seemed to work, with help provided by local businesses, from the Cheadle Picture House who exhibited slides at the event, to local Railway Companies displayed posters and local tramways displaying adverts on the Cheadle motor buses. A local bank also allowed the Charity to open an account for the fete’s funds free of charge.

PH/6/5/5/2 Crowds at the 1976 Garden Fete

The success of the fete meant the formula was repeated every year up until 1939 when the Second World War put an end to the successful run. The fete was however revived in 1962 becoming just as popular, drawing crowds with special guest openers including local comedians, Coronation Street actors and musicians, one of the best-known guests probably being Vera Lynn who attended in 1969.

 

BGWS/6/2/6 A recent donation to the archive, a brochure for the 1969 fete. The original attendee noted on the brochure where it had been signed by special guest Vera Lynn.

A short pause again in the festival celebrations came in 2018 but the event returned in 2022 as the Together Festival, introducing a more accessible event to be enjoyed by all those who the Trust supports. Just as in 1921, whether rain or shine this years event hopes to provide a fun fundraising opportunity alongside showcasing the Trust's work to the local community.

To read more about the Together Trust's history, Andrew Simpson's book 'The Ever Open Door' can be purchased through our enquiry page.