Matilda Cowgill-Smith was crowned as this year’s festival queen at the Goosnargh and Whittingham Whitsuntide Festival (GWWF) last Saturday 1 st June 2019.

The procession started off at 2pm from the Grapes Inn after dancing by the village maypolers and the Carol May Academy of Dance and performing Arts, these together with the floats, fancy dress competitors, entertainers, and musicians added up to make a wonderful exhibition of a village pulling together and making a memorable day for everyone concerned.

Matilda and her retinue, took centre stage in the procession which led off on its way to the Square, Whittingham, by the Manchester Phoenix Pipe Band, the 1st Goosnargh scouts and the Apple blossom Children. On the Square the crowning took place in the presence of the Mayor and Mayoress of the City of Preston.

Both Matilda and retiring Queen Romilly Taylor paid tribute to GWWF hero Stephanie
Butters who lost her brave fight against cancer in March this year, in their speeches they remembered her for her tireless work over the last 24 years to make every festival day special for the countless children and adults of Goosnargh and Whittingham.

Tributes were also paid by David Butters, Chairman of the committee, to the dedicated band of volunteers, committee members and countless participants without whom the day wouldn’t be possible.

Chairman David Butters said: “We are delighted how this year’s festival ran, it was always going to be difficult with the loss of Stephanie but she would have been delighted with the outcome” he went on to say “we are so lucky that we have so many people from the village and beyond who willingly help to make the day what it is, from the volunteers who prepare The Square, clear up afterwards, to the people who manage the procession and road blocks, to the residents of The Square who welcome us, to the many workers who host the afternoon tea at the village hall, the bell ringers, the raffle ticket sellers – the list is endless but everyone is so appreciated”.

Decorated Float Competition
Class 1:- Children
1st	‘Let’s go fly a kite’		Goosnargh Oliverson’s C of E Primary School
Joint 2nd	Minions		St Francis’ Catholic Primary School
Joint 2nd	Toy Story		Goosnargh Ducklings
4th	Minions		St Francis’ Pre-school
Class 2:-  Adults
1st	Goosnargh Rocks Blackpool		The Holden family and friends
2nd	Game Of Thrones		The Swarbrick Family and friends
3rd	Our Green and Pleasant Land		Whittingham W.I
Trophies
The Barton Grange Trophy for the overall best entry:- ‘Lets go fly a kite’ Goosnargh Oliverson’s C of E Primary School The Jill Thiele Trophy for the best in class:- Goosnargh Rocks Blackpool – The Holden Family
Fancy Dress Competition
Class 1:- Children
1st	Dingle Dangle Scarecrow		Leela Marsland
2nd	Steven		Evan Marslanc
Class 2:- Group
1st	Baby Shark		Ollies Pre-schol
Class 3:- Family
1st	Hairy Fairy Biker		The Hesketh Family
Trophies
Overall Best Entry Baby Shark – Ollies Pre-school Most Original Idea Hairy Fairy Biker – The Hesketh Family
Children’s Wheelbarrow Competition
1st Prize		Katrina Grixti
2nd Prize		Matthew Wareing
Adults Wheelbarrow Competition
1st Prize		Lawrence Ibison
2nd Prize		Lucky Jim
3rd Prize		Val Myerscough
Decorated Garden Competition
1st Prize		Julia Emerson
2nd Prize		Reno Grixti
Decorated Shops Competition
1st Prize		Goosnargh Pharmacy
2nd Prize		Goosnargh Post Office
3rd Prize		Classic Cut