Wisbech Rose Fair, one of the highlights of the year, has got off to a glorious start.
The event kicked off in bright sunshine today, with hundreds of people – some who have travelled from as far as Great Yarmouth, Norwich and Huntingdon – enjoying the stunning array of flower displays at St Peter and St Paul’s Church.
The church gardens were lined with stalls promoting homemade jams and produce, as well as charity stands including St Augustine’s Day Care and Macmillan.
Mayor of Wisbech Councillor David Hodgson declared the Rose Fair a “great day for Wisbech.”
He added: “It’s an amazing event for the town with many attractions; we’ve already been to a concert this morning at the Methodist Hall with children from Peckover House singing. And much more too to come.”
Dianne Goodrum, who travelled on a two hour coach from Great Yarmouth to experience the fair with a friend, said: “The atmosphere is really friendly.
“Everyone seems happy and the church is absolutely beautiful.”
The 70-year-old added: “It’s my first time. I came on the bus this morning and go back home this afternoon.”
Among the churches displays are The Old Curiosity Ship by Jackie Holding, Magna Carta by Linda Smith, Treasure Island by Helen Holmes and Swan Lake by Betty Swann.
Tina Holmes, who has been preparing the pillar flowers in St Peter and Paul’s Church, said the fair is “amazing.”
She added: “It brings hundreds of people in and always has - I’ve been involved with the fair every year since 1982.”
Joy Green, 82, said of the fair: “It’s wonderful.
“So much help goes into it and it’s a very special event for me.”
Among the charity stalls outside St Peter’s and Paul’s Church were representatives of Age UK Cambridgeshire, Dee Potter, 49 and Suzanne Cameron, 51.
They said: “We try and have a presence every year at the Rose Fair as it attracts local people and people from all around the country.
“We are always looking for new volunteers to join us and to visit lonely and isolated people.”
The Wisbech Rose Fair continues until Saturday, July 4 with a civic service closing the event on Sunday, July 5 at 10am.
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