Plucky Penketh braves the puddles

Report & Pictures Paul Jackson

ON a day that began with torrential downpours the plucky residents of Penketh carried on regardless and paraded through the local streets with umbrellas and rain coats the order of the day.

As the walk started the rain slowed and the clouds began to disperse. The procession made its way to the Greystone Rec. where there was a host of entertainments and refreshments and competitions waiting for the happy crowd.

Kicking off proceedings in the arena came Beatlife, a Liverpool samba band whose energetic performance got things off to a lively start. Next were the Viscaria Dancers who were wonderful. Five piece band The Brothers Grim had the ever growing crowd singing along to their collection of classic tunes and it was all hilariously compared by Paul Dean.

Next came the main event, the Tug of War. This year along with the local pub and club teams there was a Police team entry too captained by the local Councillor and new Cheshire PCC David Keane. In what was a very hard fought and hugely popular event a huge crowd witnessed some very powerful men and women compete against each other in a best of three knockout contest. In the final pull, Eagle RUFC managed to keep their cool and their grip to emerge victorious.

Sally Humphries had the weighty task of organising the competition and she said afterwards “ The tug of war this year was amazing and I would like to thank every team, The Ferry, The Conservative Club, The Penketh Tavern A and B teams, The Crown and Cushion, the Police and of course our amazing winners Eagle RUFC.

“The crowd was amazing I would like to thank every team. The crowd support was fantastic and so was the atmosphere well done to all of you, also Barry Roberts, the best referee ever, and Cllr Linda Dirir for providing and presenting the amazing tug of war shield. ”

All the competitors were helping to raise funds and awareness for the Shannon Bradshaw Trust.

Cllr Amanda King said of the carnival: “The Penketh events team work hard to ensure the carnival is successful each year. It grows from strength to strength with additional elements such as the stage , music and beer tent. All round family fun too with the fair and games. I really enjoy volunteering to help the team each year.”

Amongst this year’s helpers were Cllrs Amanda King, Dave Keane, Linda Dirir, Alin Dirir, David Simm , Chris Whitfield, Andrew Mulholland and many others. They stressed the importance of events such as these as they bring together the local community and help local businesses and charities but above all give the local people a great day out.