The forecast for thunder and torrential rain nevermaterialised during the day. It was only as the last pillow fighters dismounted the greasy pole that the heavens opened.
The day was brilliant fun. Darwen Band led the procession round the village.
Nadya Wigglesworth, Forton's retiring Rose Queen, and her retinue looked stunning as did Serena MacMillan her successor.
Both girls paid tribute to Jill Cross in their speeches, whose imagination and hard work continue to give Forton a Rose Queen and retinue to be proud of.
In all, seven other queens and retinues joined the procession along with the "Wild West" themed Stepping Stones float.
There was a fantastic array of entries in the fancy dress competition, from Guy of Guisburn and the Sheriff of Nottingham to Forton and Flower Tots.
The afternoon culminated in the races. Funny howmums and dads can suddenly get so competitive. Once again the "fairer" sex triumphed in the tug of war. After falling two "tugs" behind, the ladies won three on the trot to remain Field day tug of war champions.
The party atmosphere continued into the evening with a well attended BBQ and disco in the village hall. Alice and John Jesmont manned the BBQ
while "Taz Entertainments" entertained the younger members of the audience.
Lots of villagers, young and old, danced late into the evening to "classics" such as YMCA. It was a great day enjoyed by everyone.
The committee would like to thank all the Rose Queens and their retinues; the judges, Roger Jamson for being our excellent MC as usual and all the good people of Forton who gave up their time to help set up and clear up the field and village hall (especially those poor souls who were given an early shower on Saturday evening!)
COMPETITION winners –
Fancy Dress Special Award – Stepping stones float
2's & under: - 1.Reuben Consadine 2.Naomi Osbourne 3. Matthew and Isobel Harwood
3's & under:- 1. Daniel Osbourne 2. Charles Henderson 3.William Farrar
4's & under:- 1. Forton and the Flower Tots (Ellie Mae Blewitt, Hannah & Rhys Bevan) 2. Kathryn Ellison 3. Ellen Aston
5's & under:- 1. Jemima Pomfret 2. Abbie Wilkinson 3. Katie Dent
6's & under:- 1. Matthew Osbourne 2. Matthew Hall
7's & under:- 1. Thomas Corlett & Isaac Consadine 2. Lucy Physick 3. Thomas Ellison
8's & under:- "The Wizard of Oz" (Georgia Wilson, Eve Taylor, Grace Cross, Jade Brindle, Gracie Thompson and Phoebe Higham) 2. David Jeans and Robert Bevan 3. Marcus Henderson
9's & under: - 1. Jessica Dunkerley 2. Hawaii girls (Amber Dolan, Emily Dolan & Ellie Consadine)
10's and under:- 1. "Fortonites" (Becky Fox & Megan Ayres) 2. Levi Osbourne
11's and under:- 1. Josiah Consadine
14's and under :- 1. "The Robbing MP's" (Victoria & Sarah Myerscough)
Adults:- "Caterall Pirates" (Susan, Steve & Nathan Dunn, Jonathon Lawson, Katie, Daniel & Sam Garth).
Decorated Hat Winners 1. Abbie Wilkinson 2. Daisy Blewitt 3. Lucy Physick
Art Competition
Stepping Stones – Theme "Favourite Characters"
1 James Physick 2.Olivia Harwood 3.Harry Saywell
Class 1 - Fruit & Vegetables
1 Rory McKirdy 2.James Galt 3. Ellie Mae Blewitt
Class 2 – Ugly Bugs
1 Joshua Chippendale 2. Rhiann Bevan 3. Billy Hodson
Class 3 – Summer
1 Jake Appleby 2. Oliver Chippendale 3. Daniel Bradford
Class 4 – Summer Wall Hangings
1 Isobel Thompson 2.Megan Tuer 3. Josiah Consadine.