Selection Day 2019 with a concert taking place in Goosnargh Village Hall in the afternoon, is Sunday February 3rd 2019.
Make a note of the date now and join us as we celebrate the launch of our new Festival year. The theme for the festival will be “Flights of Fancy” – 2019 is 100 years since the first powered flights crossed the Atlantic.
A reminder also that our Autumn Jumble Sale 2018 is Saturday 13th October and Alex Johnson’s Hallowe’en Extravaganza 2018 is Friday 26th October.
Massive thanks to everyone for a fabulous White Doves Festival Day. Fortunately the weather dried up on cue and the effort put in by all our Float Builders, Fancy Dress Competitors, entertainers and musicans added up to a day New Queen Romilly and retiring Queen Niamh will never forget.
Special thanks Sue for a beautiful and very fitting presentation to mark the centenary of the ending of WW1 – the doves did far more than just words to imprint this Festival day on our memories.
As a mark of our gratitude to PC Banks for 14 years’ wholehearted support for our event, he was presented with an inscribed pen, made by Committee member Colin Gornall. We look forward to working withFelipe, Bernie & their hard working Police Cadets again next year.
Paul Cross was once more Star of the Celebration Tea – would you credit that all of those immaculate sweet creations came out of one small kitchen?
You all know we depend majorly on a massive band of volunteer helpers assisting the committee on the day. If you helped set up the field, buttered bread in the kitchen, marshalled the Procession, swept the village hall floor, etc. etc. etc – we are immensely grateful.
Please make a note of next year’s date: Saturday 1st June now – the more volunteers we have the greater the enjoyment for everyone.
We thank Niamh for continuing to represent us, along with her sister Roisin, with such dedication and we wish Romilly a very happy year as our village ambassador.
As she said in her speech, Romilly hopes to use her year in office to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s and next Spring she will host an event in support of Elsie Finney House in memory of her late Grandfather.
Give her a cheer next week in Longridge!
There are many small ways you can help us make Festival Day the best it can be.
If you enjoy baking your contributions to the Celebration Tea will be most welcome. The Village Hall will be open from 9am, just call in. We also need help in the kitchen, particularly in the busy 4-5pm period.
We are fortunate to have Police Cadets helping Marshal the Procession this year – please join them and help us ensure a safe Festival for everyone. The briefing is at noon in Goosnargh Village Hall and High Viz jackets are provided.
Join the Raffle Team – all you need available from the Raffle car opposite The Grapes Inn.
If watching with family & friends remember that events begin at 12.30pm & the road closure comes into operation at 1pm.
If we have the resources we will do our best to lift the closure when it is safe to do so- it’s all down to man power!
Please register your floats and claim your expenses now.
Here is an update on our exciting plans for Festival Day 2018, Saturday 2nd June.
Excitement is mounting in Romilly’s household as White Doves Festival Day 2018 takes shape.
The Festival team are delighted to be working with Sue Brown and her “Doves of Life” to mark the Centenary of the ending of WW1 in 1918. The Festival Procession will be led out by 19 yr old Jennifer Birkett followed by our youngest “Peace Children” and St Francis’ “Little White Doves”.
Jennifer will carry a single white dove in an ornamental cage. Our Festival Queen elect, Romilly Louise Taylor has chosen the colour forget-me-not blue to reflect the WW1 theme and also as “Forget me Not” symbolises the Alzheimers Society. This
is in memory of her Grandad who died recently.
Romilly is particularly pleased to have the support of her fellow Queen candidates as she prepares to take up her role as village ambassador for the year. A retinue of Princesses aged from 4 to 12 years will include Romilly’s sister, Sadie. Sadie’s twin brother Matthew will carry their Mum’s wedding tiara to the crowning platform. It promises to be a very emotional occasion for the whole family.
In the presence of the Mayor & Consort of the City of Preston, MC Nik Birkby will welcome Special Guests families & friends as they gather to witness a “Doves of Life” tribute and message of peace. Retiring Queen Niamh will read a short passage, Queen elect Romilly will release a single white dove from her hands and a total of 21 white doves will fly, the number 21 being a reference to the 21 gun salute.
Following this, events will unfold according to tradition and as always the return procession will culminate in the legendary Celebration Tea in the Village Hall.
Lots more information to follow and please remember our next Festival Fund Raising Event, The Spring Good-As-New Jumble Sale in Goosnargh Village Hall, 11am on Saturday 17th March. If you are new to the village and keen to get involved come along and talk to us on Jumble set up day, Friday 16th March 2-7.30p also check out the extensive photo galleries on the website and follow our facebook page.
Congratulations to Romilly Taylor, Festival Queen elect 2018.
Romilly’s name was selected by Festival Queen 2017 Niamh Quigg during a stunning “Showtime” concert which played to a packed Village Hall last Sunday afternoon.
A delighted audience enjoyed a fabulous afternoon’s entertainment and Goosnargh & Whittingham’s 2018 White Doves Festival was launched in grand style.
Performers from 4yrs to young adults displayed a huge range of skills from the youngest St Francis’ Primary’s Glee Club to Musical Theatre, Classical and Aerial ballet of outstanding quality by aspiring professionals.
We were very pleased to welcome Councillor Trevor Hart, Deputy Mayor of the City of Preston, to witness the selection of our new Festival Queen and enjoy our legendary Goosnargh hospitality.
Event Manager Alex Johnson was warmly praised by all present for an outstanding “Showtime” – our thanks also go to everyone who took part both back and front of house.
Photos of the event can be found here!
Goosnargh and Whittingham “White Doves” Festival 2018 is to be launched in spectacular style.
Come along to “Showtime”, a feast of local talent to celebrate the selection of our Festival Queen 2018 by reigning Queen Miss Niamh Quigg.
The date is Sunday 4th February. Registration of Queen candidates is from 12 noon to 1pm
The show begins at 1pm and home baked refreshments will be served in true Goosnargh style during the interval. Festival Queen selection will be at around 2pm and there is to be a Grand Raffle before the second half.
Performers include Aerial Artists Hannah & Grace Chadwick; pupils of St Francis’, Oliverson’s and Whitechapel Primary Schools; Carol May Academy Dancers and Students of Musical Theatre from Preston’s College in what promises to be a wonderful celebration of young talent organised by the Festival’s Event Manager Alex Johnson.
Special guests will include Councillor Trevor Hart, Deputy Mayor of the City of Preston
“Showtime” takes place in Goosnargh Village Hall PR3 2BH.
Don’t miss it!
The Goosnargh and Whittingham White Doves Festival takes place on Saturday 2nd June this year and marks the centenary of the ending of hostilities in 1918.
The theme is “Peace and Harmony” and THERE WILL BE WHITE DOVES!!
Please put the date in your diaries and prepare to join in the fun!
All set for a day to remember!
Excitement is building in the village as finishing touches are put to Floats, Flower Power Wheelbarrows & Fancy Dress costumes.
The Committee would like to thank everyone who will be helping to make New Queen Niamh’s day unforgettable.
There are several very welcome surprises in store on the day and we would like to let everyone know that the dancing outside The Grapes will begin at 1.20pm with three performances for the first time. The Procession will get underway at 2pm as always, the crowning will be at around 3pm, with Tea in the Village Hall to round off the day.
We are delighted to be welcoming as our special guests Guy and Carol Topping representing Barton Grange. As well as judging the Float section, Guy is to present a new award to the Festival Queen. The Tom Kirby Rosebowl is given as a tribute to Tom and a mark of the esteem in which he was held at Barton Grange. It was Tom, always interested and supportive of the work of the Festival Committee, who arranged for the Barton Grange Group Float Trophy to be given to the Festival to mark the Millennium and we know our Festival Queens will treasure this new award.
Joining Guy and Carol as Judges are Tom’s daughter, Helen Roberts and her husband Alan, who will judge the Fancy Dress competition and completing the Judging team Rebecca Birkby and Jackie Cockayne will be out and about on Festival morning judging the decorated shops, houses and wheelbarrows.
Special guest Andrew Wallbank with his wife Kirsty will represent Longridge and North Preston Rotary. Andrew is to present a donation of £500 to the Festival in memory of Tom and we would like to thank the Rotarians for their most valuable support.
We are grateful to Guild Park for offering their car park no. 1 for the use of residents and visitors on the day. There is also parking on The Stags car park and along The Avenue for those staying in the village for the afternoon. The road closure order is from 1.00 to 4.45pm with diversions in operation to ensure the safety of participants and spectators.
Please remember to bring along an umbrella/parasol – hopefully the latter!
And do please offer your help on the day.
We need bakers, help with the Celebration Tea (especially from 4pm), and help to set up and dismantle the staging on The Square.
Huge thanks to our Raffle Prize Donors
This year our top prize is a Lady’s Diapason all-around V Necklace and Earring Set donated by George Banks Jewellers & valued at £219
Second Prize is a Weber black original weatherproof 57cm Kettle Barbecue donated by Barton Grange Garden Centre & valued at £169.99
Third Prize is the Festival Cash Prize of £150
plus many more wonderful prizes of Vouchers and Gifts donated by local restaurants, shops & businesses
Buy your tickets now where you see the sign “Raffle Tickets Sold Here”, beat the crowds, and help us with one of the major fund raisers for the Festival.
Outlets include The Chippy and The Grapes Inn.
On Festival Day there will be two Raffle vehicles. Look out for them opposite Bushell House and in the Stags Head car park.
Andy Thiele, our Raffle co-ordinator would like to thank Longridge & North Preston Rotary Club for sponsoring the cost of printing the Raffle Tickets; the local Primary Schools for supporting us and all our helpers on Festival Day.
Festival Day is fast approaching and Festival Queen elect Niamh is set to make history by succeeding her sister Roisin, who will crown her and then support her throughout her reign.
If you are still looking for a way to join in the fun a float can simply be a decorated car and trailer filled with family and friends! Register before the end of May – all the details from the Secretary Tel: 865840
Festival 2017 has the theme FLOWER POWER and don’t miss our new competition for decorated wheelbarrows to be judged on Festival morning along with the usual Decorated Shop Windows and House Fronts. There’s still time to enter – just pick up a form from The Chippy and help to make the village look really colourful on Festival Day.
Entries must be returned by 6pm on Friday 2nd June and Judges, Rebecca Birkby and Jackie Cockayne will be out and about from 10am on Festival morning.
Fancy Dress is also “Enter on the Day” – just register at 1.10pm in Oliverson’s playground ready for Judges Alan & Helen Roberts to make their decisions at 1.20pm. Fancy dress competitors then join the Procession and Trophy winners are announced on The Square. Please note that there is a trophy for the most original idea as well as for the
overall best entry.
All Float vehicles will be in place by 1pm – lining up along Goosnargh Lane and everyone riding on a float is asked to be on board by 1.25pm with Judging by Guy and Carol Topping beginning at 1.30pm from the tennis courts.
As usual the Procession will be a feast of music and dancing and the Manchester Phoenix Pipe Band will be visiting us for the first time, joining the Eclipse Parade Band, BwD Student Big Band and of course The Longridge Band in creating a real carnival atmosphere.
The Festival theme has been chosen as a tribute to Tom Kirby and we are delighted to be welcoming Special Guests Guy and Carol Topping, representing Barton Grange. Guy is to present a new award to the Festival, The Tom Kirby Rosebowl, which will be presented each year to the newly crowned Queen.
We are especially looking for all the young “Bake Off” fans out there. Bake us your favourite cakes and PLEASE come along to the Village Hall on Festival morning from 8.30am to help prepare the Celebration Tea. If you can spare just half an hour that would be fantastic. Help is equally needed from 4pm to keep the teapots charged and the buffet table refilled.
Tea is free for all invited guests and children in the Procession, others are very welcome to join them for just £3.
All the Festival chairs have been replaced as promised following our Autumn Festival Ball and help is needed from 9am on Festival morning to provide transport to The Square and help to set up the Arena for the crowning; and again to return everything at the end of the afternoon.
Please contact Nik Birkby or Tel: 865840 to volunteer for his Procession Marshalling Team. Briefing takes place in the Village Hall at 12 noon on Festival Day and high viz jackets are provided. It is vital that we have marshals at each junction to reinforce the Road Closure Order and ensure the safety of the Procession.
We have wonderful support from PC Chris Banks and his team but they are not permitted to act as Marshals.
Dedicated to Tom Kirby
The Committee has great pleasure in inviting you to take part in the Festival Procession!
This year’s optional theme for Floats, Fancy Dress, Shops and Houses
A Celebration Tea will be served in the Village Hall from 4:00pm
Judging on Festival Morning.
Village volunteers are needed for many small tasks on the day. Please come to the Village Hall on Festival morning, call in at “Goosnargh Chippy”, speak to any Committee Member, Tel: 865840 or use our contact form.
Welcome! 