COMBERBACH residents dug out their waterproofs and braved the rain to keep alive the village’s rose fete tradition.

A retinue of 60 children took part in a sparkling procession from Senna Lane to Comberbach Primary School last Saturday, watched by residents who had packed out the streets especially for the event.

Village schoolchildren, Guides and Brownies were joined by visiting rose queens from neighbouring areas but it was teenager Rebecca Elliot who enjoyed her moment in the spotlight, when she was crowned as Comberbach’s new rose queen.

She shared her moment of village royalty with friend Emily Hearnshaw, who was announced as rose princess.

Mark Williams, rose fete chairman, said the procession had only just made its way around the village before the crowds were ‘saturated’ with rain.

“We managed it just about,” he said.

“They are a sturdy bunch, the Comberbach crowd, and after a torrential downpour there were still at least 350 people on-site.

“The entrance figures show about 620 people - it just keeps going up year-on-year.”

Talking of the array of entertainment, funfair games and food on offer, Mark said: “I’ll just keep going until I have crammed the place.

“I am spilling over into the car park it’s getting that big.

“With running shows around the country anyway, I just tend to cram the place with as much as I can get in.

“The more stuff that’s free for the children the better.”

He added: “Congratulations from the fete to Rebecca and Emily and long may the village tradition continue.”

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