The idea of this page is to provide some snippets of the village and its history. Showing what life was like and some some of its local heros.
If anyone has any thing to share please contact me on Info@WeaverhamTrust.co.uk
This first article has been on the Weaverham Community facebook page by contributor John Howman who has kindly given his permission to share here.
Weaverham Rose Fete
Weaverham Rose Fete: The First 25 Years (1926–1951)
The Weaverham Rose Fete began in 1926, when the idea for a village celebration was first proposed. The very first official event took place the following year, in 1927, and it quickly became a highlight of the local calendar.
The original aim was to bring the community together in a joyful summer celebration, centred around the crowning of the Rose Queen. The very first Weaverham Rose queen was a young lady by the name of Betty Dudley and she would become the first of a long list of Rose queens to the present day. Organised by local churches, Schools and volunteers, the event included music, maypole dancing, fancy dress parades, and games for all ages.
Despite the challenges posed by the Second World War, the Rose Fete made a triumphant return in the summer of 1946, when the Rose queen would be Patricia Treeby, it was around this time that the Rose fete made the Lake house field its new home reuniting villagers in a spirit of resilience and joy. By 1951, the event had firmly established itself as a beloved Weaverham tradition.
These early years built the foundation for nearly a century of community spirit, floral splendour, and festive fun — all proudly rooted in our village heritage.
Hope i have got the dates etc right LOL please share your memories particularly in this period 1976 was the heatwave how did the rose fete participants cope?
Part 2 – Years 26–50 (1952–1976)
By the early 1950s, a dedicated Rose Fete Committee had taken over the organisation, helping the event to grow year on year. A memorable moment came in 1953, when 13-year-old Elizabeth Marshall was crowned Rose Queen — bringing a fresh wave of community spirit to post-war Weaverham.
In 1956, the opening of Weaverham High School gave the Fete a new partnership, with pupils and staff supporting performances, floats, and displays. The event adapted with the times: by the 1960s, jazz bands, themed fancy dress, and homemade parade floats had become familiar features.
This era also saw the expansion of the village, with new housing developments drawing in more families and volunteers. Despite the challenges of the 1970s, including economic downturns, the Rose Fete remained a highlight in the village calendar, rooted in tradition and pride.
Moving on in the fetes History with many helpers and supporters keeping this marvellous community event going strong.
Part 3 – Years 51–75 (1977–2001)
During these 25 years, the Weaverham Rose Fete blossomed into a full-scale community carnival. 1977 saw the crowning of Helen Tucker as Rose queen. The 1980s introduced new attractions such as local dance troupes, competitions, and themed parades that celebrated everything from royal jubilees to village heritage.
The historic core of the village — with its timber-framed cottages, old Grammar School building, and St Mary’s Church — became a source of pride for Fete goers. These landmarks featured in guided walks and photo displays that tied local history to the day’s celebrations.
In 1992, the opening of the Weaverham bypass helped ease congestion through the village centre, making the Fete more accessible and safer for families. Danielle Dobbs was crowned Rose queen a local girl who recently posted that she had through her work met Betty Dudley our first rose queen and said Betty spoke about being very proud to be the first Weaverham rose queen. The new millennium was marked in 2000–01 with special events, including a timeline of past Rose Queens and a parade showcasing fashions from each decade since 1927. Lisa Edwards the 1999 Rose queen who handed over to Shelley Pickering the 2000 Rose queen.
In 2001 it was Lauren Heath who proudly wore the crown it would be brilliant to see as many ex Rose queens as possible join us next year for the 100th year celebrations.
Moving on Quickly and almost to the present day we move through a time of change and turmoil.
Part 4 – Years 76–99 (2002–2024)
The 21st century brought both challenges and innovation to the Rose Fete. In 2003, the High School’s Maths block fire was a significant local event. Sian Morgan was the Queen this year and a beautiful parade was enjoyed by the village. The following year, the Fete embraced a “Rebuild and Renew” theme to honour the community’s resilience.
From 2007, performances at the newly refurbished Barrymore Institute added a cultural touch to the celebrations, with local music and talent shows becoming regular features. The Fete also embraced many changes through this period with retirements from the committee and local Ladies Barbra Eames and Pam palfreyman did a sterling job keeping the fete on track until help arrived a few years later.
One of the most difficult moments came in 2020 and 2021, when the Rose Fete was paused for two consecutive years due to the COVID-19 pandemic — the first significant interruption since the Second World War. Yet, as ever, the village spirit endured, with many residents marking the days with garden displays and virtual community efforts.
When the Fete returned in 2022, it did so with heartfelt enthusiasm. This Year finally Kiera Mctasney was Finally crowned Rose Queen marking a very long involvement in the fete having held positions such as Fairy Queen, Rose bud and Junior Queen. That year and the following in 2023 and 2024, the event honoured both tradition and renewal — from dancing and vintage games to displays on Weaverham’s medieval roots and tributes to the original 1920s “Hospital Saturday” fundraisers that the Fete originally was formed on the back of and had already been going since the early 1900s.