The Day I Was Crowned Rose Queen                                 Emily Howling

The day started off with having my hair done, at the wonderful Sherlocks by Jane. My Mum and I then had to get my dress and cloak on without messing up my hair. That was no mean feat! We then travelled down to Brabyns where I met my lovely attendants who were looking very pretty (apart from Callum who looked handsome!). I handed out the beautiful flowers that Amanda (Mandarin floristry) had made for us. The Rose Buds were really pleased. We had lots of photos taken whilst we were waiting. The photographer was Amy (Mim) Botley and she did a great job.

When the tractor arrived we were relieved to see that the trailer was still attached and nothing had fallen off during the night. We all clambered in and sat on the hay bales. Unfortunately I was in a gap between two hay bales so I had to make sure I didn’t fall down!

It was fun waving to all the people on the way up. Livie was singing and, when we went past the old mill, we all started singing too! We were lucky to have the Rose Queen umbrellas when it started to rain. Poor Chloe got rather wet, as she was sitting at the edge of an umbrella that kept dripping water on her. She was very good and didn’t make a fuss though. It was nice chatting to my main attendant, Eve on the way up. We have been friends since we were tiny.

When we arrived it had stopped raining. We were soon at the back of church waiting to be called in. It was lovely to see the flowers that Jenny and her friends had put in church. First up was last years Rose Queen, Katie, who had raised just under £7000 for her chosen charity- the Rainbow Trust. She was followed by a succession of visiting Rose Queens and their retinues. Finally it was my turn to go to the front. Callum did a fantastic job of carrying the crown and garland. The other Rose Buds were all great at holding the cloak. When I had got sorted at the front, my first job was to plonk the garland on Peter. It suited him. Then Katie did a small speech about her year and gave out flowers to the Rose Queen Mums. The person in charge of The Rainbow Trust round here then told everyone a bit about what the charity does.

When it was time for me to be crowned I knelt on the kneeler and Katie placed the crown on my head. I was now officially Rose Queen and my first task was to declare the fete open.

When the Rose Buds had got hold of my cloak, I processed out after Callum, whilst Jonny played Colonel Hathi’s march from Jungle book. We then followed the band to the field where the Mann family had set up yet another space adventure for the teddies of Mellor. I had to rescue my teddy, Shuk, off the moon! He was running out of oxygen, honey and love and cuddles. I launched three rockets but none of them landed close enough. Luckily, astronauts had left some honey in the Sea of Tranquillity which was able to sustain Shuk until he was rescued.

Then my retinue and I, and Katie and her retinue, went down to the Parish Centre for some maypole dancing. It was great fun and we made a ‘barbers pole’. I was then free to run the rose queen stall and enjoy the fete with my friends. We dared each other to have our faces painted. I ended up as a green cat (we chose what each other would be painted as)! Then I had the honour of handing out the certificates to the race winners (with a green face). The tug of war was great. The girls won 3-2.

Overall, it was a really fantastic day.

Thanks to: Mim for the photographs; Amanda for the bouquets; Jane for my hair do; the flower ladies for the flowers; Jonny for the music; Katie and her Rose Buds; my Rose Buds and their families; Eve; Mum and Dad and everyone else who helped make the fete possible and the day so enjoyable.

Rose Queen Dates for your Diaries

Mellor’s Got Talent! February 4th (Saturday).  

For one night only... an adult ‘Talent Show’ in the style of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’. Calling all potential acts – please contact one of the Rose Queen Team.  We are looking for individuals or groups (aged 16 upwards) who are prepared to perform their talent (or lack of) to a friendly audience in Mellor Parish Centre.  Serious or silly acts of around 5 minutes are welcome.  We are especially looking for an animal act or two!

Raising money for Shuktara – providing a home for disabled street kids in Calcutta.