Heywood Swells with Pride for Charities Fete Success

Alex Callaghan

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The largest and the longest running community event to take place in Heywood, Heywood Charities Fete, attracted over 5000 people this year and has raised approximately £6000 in funds that are to be spent improving the Heywood Community.

Charities such as the Parkinson’s Disease, and  Animal Welfare benefited from a free stall, plus there was the presence of local Guides, Scouts, Heywood Lions, and Brookland Starz morris dancers who all enjoyed taking part in the parade and in the activities later on at Queens Park.

The new heart for Heywood Chairman David Rothwell, who is responsible for making the Charities Fete a success, said that the event is “something to be very proud of”.

He added: “New Heart for Heywood has been excellent for bringing the community together and I am very pleased with the number of young people that are getting involved.”

“Heywood has suffered from a negative reputation due to the levels of crime and it is rewarding for these things to help and put the community back on track.”

David is also very pleased with the progress of the event. “Only 7-10 years ago, the parade consisted of around 3 items. Now we have a large number of local charities eager to get involved, and over 5000 come to see it.”

Background

The parade started in the 1920’s and closed down in 1939 due to the Second World War. Luckily, it was re-opened again in 1956 by a local committee, although the level of public interest in the event slowly disintegrated to the point where, only a decade ago, the parade was down to three or four items. The new heart for Heywood organisation was helped to Charities Fete become a success again.