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Littlebeck to stage Rose Queen ceremony
A CEREMONY that is more than half a century old will go ahead in Littlebeck on Tuesday when the village's Rose Queen is crowned.
Littlebeck has been staging the ceremony since 1954 and this year's Rose Queen is to be 14-year-old Grace Sullivan.
She will be crowned by retiring Rose Queen Danielle Thompson and her attendants are to be Ebony Hodgson and Gian Luca Mastrolonardo.
Following the crowning ceremony, Grace and her attendants will float down the river seated on a throne on a rose covered raft – complete with umbrella if it rains.
Julie Weeks, who organises the annual event with her sister Margaret Brown, said: "We go ahead regardless of the weather unless, of course, it's so bad the river becomes unsafe."
The event also includes a play with a cast of the village's children.
This year it is to be a story from the Winnie the Pooh books involving a dragon and a knight as well as an owl from the hundred acre wood and the donkey Eeyore.
There is a cast of 15 local children and Julie said: "They are quite a young group this year aged from five to 11 and the costumes are being made by Joan Smith including the donkey's and the owl's.
"After each rehearsal I tell the children that if they've done well they can play on the boats on the river as a reward."
The event was first held to raise money to build a village hall and now helps to maintain the hall and build an extension.
Julie said: "We generally get around 300 people each year and our supporters are very loyal – they come regardless of bad weather. It's good to keep the village traditions going."
The event is on Tuesday in the grounds of Old Mill, Littlebeck and the gates open at 1.30pm.
Entrance is adults 2, children 50p. Car parking is free and bus transport is available from the car park.
Cream teas will be on offer and there is a barbecue with Radfords hot dogs, ice cream, cold drinks, tombola and a raffle.
In the evening there will be a half dominoes drive and a pie and peas supper at the village hall starting at 7.45pm when the raffle will be drawn.
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Weather for Whitby
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
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