CROWDS flocked to Comberbach on Saturday to enjoy the 60th rose fete with the theme of Space Oddity.

Leading the way in the royal spectacular attended by around 800 people was Imogen Hughes, who was crowned queen.

Members of the original retinue enjoyed the parade and the festivities.

Best visiting queen was Samantha Mainwaring, Cheshire Carnival Queens' Association queen of the year; best dressed car was Georgia Rae Haynes, Mid Cheshire Personality and Hartford Junior Empress (NSPCC).

The adult fancy dress winner was The Mummers, while the children's fancy dress winner was Freya Dunkley as K9.

Members of the 1946 retinue were Margaret Lambert, Barbara Harrison, Marjorie Bray, Edith Fuller and Hilda Astles.

The Wendy Green Award for services to the community went to Janet Groom, headteacher of Comberbach Primary School.

Some £1,500 was raised for the fete committee and a cheque for £1,700, which was raised in last week's fun run, was presented to the charity Imagine at Alder Hey Children's Hospital, chosen by Imogen Hughes.

Fete committee chairman Steve Howard said: "It was a fantastic day and after 60 years the fete is still going strong.

"It is a credit to the people of the village that they have raised more than £3,000 in the past week for the charity Imagine and fete funds.

"The weather was fine and the crowd really enjoyed the village fete atmosphere."

Imogen's retinue was senior attendants Sophie Foster, Rose Proudfoot, Kasai Rimmer and Katie Walker; junior attendants Carlen Birtles-Smith, Sarah McKeegan, Niesha Rimmer and Niamh Webber-Howard; flower girls Anna Cameron, Rebecca Eillot, Bethany Harrison, Georgia Howell and Bethan Pocock; sword bearers James Cameron, Charlie Dutton, Harry Kemp and Rhys Worrall.

The retiring queen was Jessica Owen.

To order copies of these and other pictures from the fete, see northwichguardian

.co.uk