ROSE FAIR 2009: Bumper event that each year has a real community focus

THIS year s Wisbech Rose Fair is set to be a bumper event, with community spirit blooming alongside fabulous flower arrangements. The five day festival runs from Wednesday July 1 until Sunday July 5, and will involve churches, businesses and individuals,

THIS year's Wisbech Rose Fair is set to be a bumper event, with community spirit blooming alongside fabulous flower arrangements.

The five day festival runs from Wednesday July 1 until Sunday July 5, and will involve churches, businesses and individuals, putting Wisbech well and truly on the map.

Breathtaking floral arrangements in the church of St Peter and other town centre churches attract visitors from all around Fenland and across the country.

But the festival is not just about flowers, on Saturday the whole community will be involved in a colourful parade of floats through the town, at 11am and 2pm, organised by Wisbech Round Table.

The theme for this year is "Groups and Music Through the Ages," with everyone from pre-school children to pensioners getting involved. The parade will be headed up by the Rose Queen and her attendants.

Bookings for teas and lunches have really taken off this year, after organisers contacted more than 1,000 coach companies.

Refreshments, including lunches, strawberry teas, and high tea served at St Peter's Church, are enormously popular for those attending the festival, and booking is advised. Other refreshments are available at the church, and at various other venues around the town.

Bookings for visitors have been flooding in, and this year's festival looks being the best ever.

As well as raising huge amounts of money for the upkeep of the imposing St Peter's Church, the original purpose of the event, the fair brings together all churches in the town and highlights their wealth of ecclesiastical merit.