The Village Green and Rose Queen

THE JUBILEE VILLAGE GREEN

Pott Shrigley village green is a field, adjacent to the parish church, in the heart of the village. It was purchased by the Parish Council with a loan from Macclesfield Borough Council. Grants have enabled the Parish Council to fence, drain and provide gates for the site. It contains a small orchard which has been supplemented by new trees planted by the school pupils. Any further development is on hold until the loan is repaid in 2016. In 2012 the Parish Council applied for and was awarded Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Status, which ensures the village green in perpetuity.

A covenant exists which decrees that no permanent buildings can be erected on the site and the site shall only be used for recreational purposes for the benefit of the residents of Pott Shrigley village and its environs. As its legal owner, the Parish Council has the responsibility to determine how the village green is used and so a set of guidelines has been drawn up to help it respond fairly to requests by organisations and members of the public to use the space. Its primary use is to enable and support village events not private family functions and to promote and foster community spirit through a range of recreational facilities, now and in the future.

THE ROSE QUEEN

The first Rose Queen celebration was held in 1931. Mrs Higson, from Pott Hall, paid for material which could be made into dresses and other costumes. The Cheshire Hunt Inn was chosen as the venue.  Mothers and friends joined sewing classes to make dresses and other costumes while fathers made a suitable platform.  A dancing teacher was engaged to teach the girls the intricacies of a gavotte and a polka in readiness for the great day.

From 1947 the Rose Queen Festivals were continuous and for many years they were held in the gardens of Pott Hall, the home of Mr and Mrs Swindells.

In this age of equality, the school children now elect a Rose Queen and Rose King helped by a Rose Bud and Rose Prince. There is dancing round the maypole as well as welly throwing and wheelbarrow racing. Music is provided by the Poynton Brass Band and you can choose a cream tea or a barbecue with perhaps a glass of Pimms to wash it down. All this now takes place in early June on the Village Green.

THE USE OF THE VILLAGE GREEN GUIDELINES

 The use of the Village Green shall be determined by the Parish Council, as its legal owner. The Council will exercise its discretion regarding the maintenance of the ground.

Its primary use is to enable and support village events and activities, such as the annual Rose Queen celebration, which express and promote the identity and cohesion of the village. Typically, these will be sponsored/organised by Pott Shrigley based collective bodies such as the school, the Parish Council, the church, the Village Hall Social Club and the Cricket Club.

Secondly the Village Green is to be open for unobtrusive and peaceful access by individuals on foot, for walking and using any equipment which may be installed, e.g. seats. Dogs are permitted to enjoy the Village Green providing owners clean up after them, should it be necessary, and remove dog waste.

The Village Green is not intended for and will not be made available by the Parish Council for private family events, such as birthday parties, wedding anniversaries, funeral ‘wakes’ etc.

Exceptionally, and subject to both the approval of the Parish Council and observation of any conditions set by it, residents of Pott Shrigley parish -as verified by reference to the current Electoral Roll (i.e. the register of voters used for local and national elections and NOT the parish church’s register) and applicants with very close links with the parish may apply to the Parish Council to use the Village Green for a private celebration following the wedding of the applicant or for the child of the applicant. All applications will be considered on an individual basis. Requests for this use must be addressed to the Parish Clerk at least four months in advance of the date of the event.

1. A condition of acceptance is that the applicant will consult those members of the parish living within the vicinity of the Village Green, seeking their views about the application. These members of the parish need to be told that they should forward any objection to the Parish Clerk.
2. In making its decision the Parish Council will consider all relevant matters, including:

1. 1. the outcome of the consultation;
   2. the date and timing of the proposed event, (which is not to exceed midnight), and its duration;
   3. details regarding the installation and removal of temporary facilities, such as marquees, boarding and equipment;
   4. anticipated noise levels and lighting which must be kept to a minimum;
   5. vehicle parking arrangements;
   6. toilet facilities;
2. visual impact;
3. restoration of the Village Green after the event;
4. suitability of the ground/land for the erection of the temporary facilities;
5. the offer of an appropriate financial donation;
6. any other relevant matter.

The Parish Council will, in the event of approving an application, be able to set such restrictive conditions as it considers appropriate.

The Parish Council will nominate one or more of its members or its Clerk to liaise on matters of detail in advance of the event. It will also ensure the availability of one of its members, or other nominated person, to monitor and to ensure the observation of any conditions it has set for the event.