The Scholes Village Fete and Centenary Celebrations were an enormous success with over a 1,000 people enjoying the day out. It was also great to see so many villagers taking part both during the run up (including a particularly wet Saturday) and in the fete itself. Thankfully, the sun came out and the wind dropped.

The day commemorated one reported in the Rotherham Record a hundred years ago. On 13th August 1905, Countess Fitzwilliam formally opened the Recreation Ground in Scholes Village, which had kindly been gifted to the village by the family.

Countess Fitzwilliam opening the present ground in 1905.
Before this, we believe cricket was played on the field behind the Post Office.

On the 14th August, 2005, a procession set off from Red House farm to celebrate the centenary of the opening. The procession included Chapeltown Silver Prize Brass Band, local air cadets, Rollo the clown and children from Thorpe Hesley School who had made a special school banner to mark the day. The Mayor of Rotherham and her escort were driven in a vintage car and villagers walked in the procession with a reproduction of the Grange Main banner which had been carried in the original procession. The village had been draped in bunting to give it a festive air. On reaching the recreation ground, the Mayor of Rotherham opened the centenary fete, which included a tug of war competition, fancy dress, pet show and children’s races as well as a collection of sideshows and stalls. The celebrations were concluded with a BBQ and entertainment in the evening.

Funding to help with costs of the fete and procession was provided by Voluntary Action Rotherham and Area Assembly Community Chest funding.

Please see below, a selection of photos from the day.
All images Copyright 2005, Scholes Village Association.

Reproduction of the Grange Main banner by Vicky Horbury

Geoff from the Bay Horse and his hog.

Phillip Sherriff, Mayor of Rotherham, Councilor Hilda Jack, and her consort, Kingsley Jack and Rolo the Clown

Chris & Warrior

The vintage Bentley used in the procession

Councilor Hilda Jack, and Kingsley Jack on the way to the Recreation Ground

Dave Booth leads the procession through the village

Chapeltown Silver Prize Brass Band in full swing as they pass The Bay Horse

Bryan Linfoot welcomes Councilor Hilda Jack, and Kingsley Jack and declares the fete open

The Mayoral Tea!

The Brass Band play on into the afternoon

Visitors enjoy Elayne's Golf

The ladies get stuck into the tug o' war

volunteers for STAG (Scholes and Thorpe Action Group) take signatures against
the proposed housing development between Scholes and Thorpe.

Scholes Men vs Random 6 (Richard, Shaun, Ian, Dave, Nick and the anchor - Tony, who's out of the picture).
Speaking as one of the Random 6, Scholes Men seem to have the size advantage!

The Holy Trinity cake stall did good trade with all the cakes going.

Peter and Chris take a moment from their duties on the "Beat Grommit" football game.

Rolo the Clown

Everyone piles into the final Tug o' War!