Thousands enjoy sunny Heywood charities fete and parade

Date published: 02 September 2018

Thousands flocked to Queen’s Park under glorious sunshine for the annual Heywood Charities Fete and Parade on Sunday (2 September).

The Heywood Charities Fete is one of the biggest and the most long-standing event in the calendar of Heywood, having taken place since 1933.

Organised by the Heywood Charities Fete Committee, it traditionally takes place annually on the first Sunday in September and is supported by many local voluntary groups, organisations and local businesses, including Heywood Rotary and Heywood Lions Club, which formed in 1972.

 

 

This year’s fete looks set to be the last one which will see former Lions president, Steve Brown, take an active role in organising.

The parade began at Sefton Street at 1pm, winding through Heywood to Queen’s Park for this year’s animal-themed fete with a funfair, bouncy slide, stalls and face-painting plus performances from local talent.

 

 

 

 

 

Amongst the many families enjoying the parade and fete were local dignitaries such as Heywood and Middleton MP, Liz McInnes and Mayor of Rochdale, Mohammed Zaman, plus Heywood and Hopwood Hall councillors, Ray Dutton, Peter Rush, Liam O’Rourke, Jacqui Beswick, Linda Robinson and Carol Wardle.

 

 

 

 

 

Ms McInnes said: “What a great event as always, it is always very well organised and it is fantastic to see so many people out and contributing to charity. Everyone has been out enjoying the wonderful weather. The charities fete is a great tradition and I hope it will continue for years to come.”

Mayor Zaman said: “Every year the support of the local people grows. I attended last year and it is so good to see local businesses and community groups work together to raise money for charity.

“It is good to see so many floats, stalls and families attending the event which gets stronger every year. A big thank you to the Friends of Queens Park, Steve Brown from the Lions, all the Heywood councillors who have come together to work hard in making such a successful day.

“I’m very grateful to have been invited and proud to take park. Everyone seems very happy and like they are having a good time.”

Councillor Rush, who is also Chairman of the Heywood Township Committee, said:  “Once again, I’m pleased to have been involved in a long running tradition. Thank you to the Lions who have continued to be involved through thick and thin, plus Heywood Rotary.

“The last three years have displayed what a lovely spectacle this is. You only have to look down the streets of Heywood on the day: that really shows what it’s all about.”