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A Gorgeous Day for Neston's 202nd Annual Ladies Club Walk
| Author: Carrie Spacey | Published: 2nd June 2016 18:51 |
Another beautiful day greeted the 202nd annual Neston Female Society Ladies Club procession.
The floral panels designed by local schoolchildren and mounted on the walls of the Market Square, made a pretty backdrop for photos.
Gathering on the Market Square for the first time, a sea of smiling faces, pretty dresses and lovely flowers was a wonderful sight to behold. The large open space lent itself well to photography (especially with the floral panels in the wall as a backdrop) and made it possible for the crowd to get a proper look as the procession lined up, ready to walk off along Ladies Walk - also for the first time in the event's history.
A fresh start.
The decision to move the start of the walk did not prove universally popular when it was announced and continued to cause disagreement for some time. However few will disagree now, after seeing the walk beginning from the Square, as it was a distinct improvement that it is hoped will continue for many years to come.
A few ladies who had refused to accept the decision of the Committee, opted instead to set off from the Malt Shovel.
Moving on
The procession, led by the band of the Scots Guards Association, moved on as usual along part of Liverpool Road, down the High Street and into the Parish Church for the Ladies Day service led by Rev Alan Dawson. His sermon focussed on the traditional flower staves carried by the ladies and girls.
Meanwhile, a stage set up outside the Brown Horse at the Cross hosted a variety of local artists providing entertainment for the crowds in between the sections of the walk. They included Neston's own 64 N'Ukes, Hip & Harmony Community Choir with Steve Daintree, Oakleigh Briscoe, Riley, Jimmy Rae & the Moonshine Girls, Dannielle & Charly and the Night & Days. Entertainment was organised by Paula Prytherch for Hip & Harmony CIC, with assistance from the CH64 Events Group. This part of the event was sponsored by Neston Town Council.
64 N'Ukes, who rehearse at NCYC on Tuesday nights, were one of the acts providing entertainment.
Leading the parade for the final time was out-going Honorary Secretary Martin Barker, who will officially stand down at the Female Society's AGM on July 7th. He was joined for the walk and services by the Lord Mayor of Chester, Angela Claydon, the Mayor of Neston, Cllr Mike Shipman and his wife Sue, the Deputy Mayor Cllr Ceri Lloyd and her husband Cllr Phil Lloyd and the leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cllr Samantha Dixon.
Hon Secretary Martin Barker leads the parade for the final time.
Rev Dawson addressed the crowd accompanied by Rev Hilary Bell from the United Reformed Church, along with members of the Parish Church choir. After hymns, lustily joined in with by the crowd, the procession then continued on its final leg, down the High Street and up Chester Road to the Civic Hall for the traditional afternoon tea.
Rev Alan Dawson and the Parish Church Choir.
Celebrations continued at the Funfair, which is in town until Saturday.
Speaking after the event, Mayor Mike Shipman said: "Cllr Samantha Dixon, Leader of Cheshire West & Chester Council said to me how proud I must be of being Town Mayor of a place like Neston. She thought the town was "buzzing". It was her first visit to Neston since becoming leader in May last year. She told me it was one of the most wonderful events she had participated in on all her years on the Council."
Thank you
A huge thank you must go to all the volunteers who work so hard every year to make this event the joyous experience that it is, including the members of the Neston Female Society committee, the stewards and CH64 Events group with Hip & Harmony and NCYC volunteers. It cannot be over-stated just how much goes into the organisation of the day, and long may it continue to be the success it has been until now.
Rob Halsall and some of his band of hard-working stewards, who make the day possible.
Photos
Any photo that does not have a specified photographer's name on it has been taken by AMA. You are welcome to right click/copy or screenshot any that you like. If you subsequently post them on social media, I would appreciate it if you could include a link back to this article. Thank you.
I was only able to cover the walk itself and the gathering at the Cross. As always we welcome contributed photos. In this case I would be particularly grateful for photos of the part of the day around the church and the walk to the Civic Hall. Please send by email.
Cheers!
Video
You can view David Sejrup's video of the day on YouTube here.
Another video, by James Chalmers, can be viewed on YouTube here.
Photo Gallery
Photo by Steve Ebbrell
Photo by Kate Jones
Riley performs on stage. Photo by David Sejrup
Photo by Jackie Hatton-Burns
64 N'ukes take to the stage while the girls line up in the Square. Photo by David Sejrup
Photo by Steve Ebbrell
Photo by David Sejrup
Photo by David Sejrup
The band make their way to the start of the Walk. Photo by Janet Jones
Sgt Greenhalgh (far left) with just some of the Cheshire Police officers who were on hand to ensure the day went smoothly.
Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cllr Samantha Dixon, with Mayor of Neston Cllr Mike Shipman and his wife, Sue.
Photo by Steve Ebbrell
Photo by David Sejrup
Photo by Janet Jones
Photo by David Sejrup
'Come on, let's make a dash for the Fair, no-one will notice!' Photo by David Sejrup
Photo by David Sejrup
Photo by David Sejrup
Photo by Janet Jones
Photo by Janet Jones
Photo by Janet Jones
Photo by David Sejrup
Photo by David Sejrup
Jimmy Rae & the Moonshine Girls
Hip & Harmony Community Choir, led by Paula Prytherch.
Steve Daintree joined the choir for a performance of his song A Walk Through Time, written for the 200th anniversary in 2014.
Tough crowd!
Photo by David Sejrup
Photo by David Sejrup
Photo by David Sejrup
Photo by David Sejrup
Photo by David Sejrup
Photo by David Sejrup
Photo by David Sejrup
Photo by David Sejrup
Photo by Steve Ebbrell
Photo by Steve Ebbrell
Photo by Steve Ebbrell
Photo by Steve Ebbrell
Photo by Steve Ebbrell
Photo by David Sejrup
Charly and Danielle perform on stage. Photo by David Sejrup.
Photo by David Sejrup
Related content: Neston Ladies Club Day 2008 onwards
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Angela CRob Wardhttp://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/neston-ladies-day-7-women-11421224?ptnr_rid=133601&icid=EM_LiverpoolEcho_Nletter_News_Features_headline_Story2
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