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Street Entertainment Will Enhance Neston's Ladies Day Celebrations

See: Neston Ladies Day 2012 for a full report & photos from this year's event.  

Original article follows (pre-event):

Neston's unique and cherished tradition, Ladies Day takes place this year on Thursday 7th June. 

Neston Ladies Day. Photo © Bernard Rose

To enhance the traditional celebrations, this year the town centre will be closed to traffic throughout the afternoon and a programme of street entertainment is being organised by CAN Group (Community Activities in Neston).

Neston Town Council has partnered with Neston Female Society to ensure that residents, businesses and visitors are kept informed regarding parking arrangements throughout the week, and the closure of the town centre to all traffic on the afternoon of Ladies Day itself.

Mayor of Neston, Cllr Martin Barker said: "Neston Town Council are delighted to be working hand in hand with the Female Society to enhance the experience of Ladies Day both for residents and visitors.

"A working group comprised of members of the Town Council, the Female Society, Cheshire West and Chester Council officers, Neston & District Chamber of Trade and Neston Police has been meeting regularly since last September to ensure the alterations to parking, and the road closure on Ladies Day itself, are properly managed and that the public are given clear information.

"The programme of street entertainment during the afternoon of June 7th will complement Neston's unique Ladies Day parade, and celebrate the vibrant community spirit of the town."

The Walk

Full details of the route, and timings, are here, but briefly, walkers gather at The Malt Shovel in Liverpool Road from 2.00pm (at the same time, the band walk up from the British Legion).

The parade begins at 2.30pm, processing to the Parish Church for 3.00pm.  They come out of the Church at around 3.4pm and proceed to the Cross where a service takes place (including the singing of the National Anthem).  At approximately 4.20pm, the parade makes its way down the High Street and up Chester Road to the Civic Hall, where tea is served and the Neston Female Society AGM takes place.

Entertainment

All subject to weather conditions. There may have to be some last minute changes, but the plan at the moment is as follows:

2.00pm  -  Band to march up High Street from the British Legion, with the Giant Queen.
2.10pm  -  Gershwin Gang to perform at The Cross until start of parade at 2.30pm.
3.00pm  -  CH64 Community Singers at The Cross
3.10pm  -  Felix Ngindu & Muzika World at The Cross until 3.45pm.
4.20pm  -  Gershwin Gang to perform at The Cross until 5.00pm.
5.00pm  -  Felix Ngindu & Muzika World
5.30pm  -  Gershwin Gang (roads re-open at 6.00pm)

Additional strolling street entertainers will be out and about from 2.00-6.00pm.

Snug play equipment session in the Market Square - 1.30-2.30pm and 3.00-5.00pm.

Bouncy Castle at Neston Centre (next to Parish Church) - 3.00-5.00pm.

Parking

This year, Ladies Day falls on Thursday 7th June. On the preceding Monday, 4th June, Chester Road Car Park will close at 12 noon to allow for the arrival of the traditional FunFair. The Car Park will remain closed until the Fair has departed, re-opening fully on Sunday 10th June.

During the closure, free, unrestricted alternative parking has been arranged at the Royal British Legion in Chester Road. In addition, Sainsbury's will be waiving their 3-hour-limit in the Multi-storey car park from Tuesday 5th June to Saturday 9th June inclusive.

Neston's Friday Market will be taking place as usual on 8th June, with Market Traders' vehicles being accommodated at the Malt Shovel Car Park in Liverpool Road.

Ladies Day Road Closure

On Ladies Day itself, the town centre will, for the first time, be closed to all traffic from 2pm to 6pm.  This is to encourage a festival atmosphere, with Neston Town Council providing CAN Group with a grant to provide street entertainment, and to better ensure the safety of residents and visitors attending the event.

A traffic management company has been engaged to devise and signpost diversionary routes during the closure.

See key below image for road closure details.

Key: 

• Area marked in RED: Road closed from 2pm - 6pm
• Area marked in GREEN (Liverpool Road) - Temporary closure for start of Parade from 2:30pm-2:45 p.m.
  (approx.).
• Area marked in GREEN (Chester Road) - Temporary closure for end of Parade from 4:15-4:30 p.m. (approx.).
• NB: Traffic will only be able to exit Sainsbury's via Raby Road until Brook Street fully reopens.
• In addition, Church Lane will be closed at the Parkgate Road end to the small bridge, from 2:00-6:00pm, for public safety.

Buses

All buses will terminate at the Ladies Walk bus stop during the road closure. Southbound journeys will operate via Raby Road, Raby Park Road and Breezehill Road, and Northbound journeys will operate via Raby Road and Liverpool Road. There will be a delay at 14:30 for 15 minutes for the procession. Notices will be displayed at stops to inform passengers of the arrangements.

Unfortunately, services through Parkgate will be suspended between 14:00 and 18:00 on Thursday June 7th.
 

Related Content:

Neston Ladies Day (photos from 2008 onwards)

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Comments

Owden

At 10:49 on 9th May 2012, Owden commented:

Correct me if I'm wrong here youssers and owdeners (and I'm fairly certain I'm not) - It's Ladies 'Club' day and not Ladies day ? Ladies day is something akin to horse racing ?

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Katie Robson

At 11:40 on 9th May 2012, Katie Robson responded:

The Female Society themselves refer to it as Ladies Day, so I guess we must bow to their experience!

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Owden

At 14:17 on 9th May 2012, Owden commented:

Says 'Ladies Club' in the photo section - I'll get them told ;o) http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/Cheshire/Neston/CH64/Villages-in-CH64/Days-Gone-By-Local-Images/128084-Days-Gone-By:-Neston

Probably stopped being a 'club' when it didn't suit the image as is so common these days.

Not sure if it's been done before Carrie but it'd be good to read people memories of Ladies Club Day from yesteryear as maybe an article, or a invite to post memories ? Maybe the Neston Female Friendly Society would be interested from a historical point of view ?

Without going into great detail, my Mum's told me in the past about how her staff was made up of Carnation's and Sweet peas from the garden... Most people didn't go to a flower shop back then ;o)

Somewhere... I may have a short cine-film of my Dad's of Ladies Club day back in the early 60's - only about a minute long, if that - May have to see if it hasn't disintegrated yet :o/

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fredb

At 21:15 on 6th June 2012, fredb commented:

As someone who has lived in Parkgate all my life and can go back in Parkgate as far as my great,great grandfather i agree with owden, the parade has always been known as Ladies club day.
Apart from that, why have the powers that be isolated Parkgate?not everyone in Parkgate has a car and some people would like to see the parade and can't walk very far and rely on the bus, as well as other people may have had plans to go further afield i.e. Chester, Birkenhead, Hospital. Can someone please give me a sensible please. PS and don't say use a taxi.

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Katie Robson

At 00:00 on 7th June 2012, Katie Robson responded:

The plans for Ladies Day have been fully discussed with the 'powers that be' since last September. Quite why they could not divert, rather than cancel, the bus service is unclear at the moment. It's one that you would need to be answered by Cheshire West and Chester Council and the bus companies.

That said, the publicity has been widespread (as far as it was possible, given that it's mostly volunteers involved) and it is just one afternoon out of the year, so hopefully most people will view the arrangements in a positive way. Please also note that this is a test run - the first time a full road closure has been attempted, and a debrief meeting, involving all relevant organisations, will look at any issues and make improvements to the plan for future years. All opinions are therefore welcome, but on behalf of all the volunteers involved, may I respectfully request that people comment on the positives as well as any perceived problems?

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Rob Ward

At 08:07 on 8th June 2012, Rob Ward commented:

A pity about the weather, but not even Carrie can organise sun! Full marks to the ladies of all ages who paraded, looking quite fetching in pink plastic. (And full marks to whoever found all the pink plastic.) Well done, trick cyclists. The bearers of the banner did well to march in the wind. The Giant Queen was quite unfazed, just like the real one. The Mayor and his lady were cheerful to the end. Neill Robb looked splendid in his robes It was like the Thames Jubilee pageant - people stoical and determined.
For next year, a more powerful public address system at Neston Cross would be better. It would be nice to see more clergy processing. Could the band play for the hymn/s round the Cross? I hope the Town Council won't be put off by this year's weather, and will help with street entertainment on future Ladies Days.

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