2007 saw the 10th annual Beech Road Summer
Festival, run by the Beech Road Association of Traders primarily
as a fundraising event – and an excuse for making a wonderful day
out for thousands of visitors to the road, some discovering us for
the first time. Many people are amazed to find the astonishing range
of unusual shops, restaurants and bars coupled with a genuinely
friendly and welcoming community atmosphere. Where else do you find
such an array of different gifts, produce and food within a mere 500
yards? It’s all here in Beech Road...
Mary, principal organiser of the Festival writes:
"The festival
was a great success in spite of a few bursts of rain, it did not
dampen the spirits of the really brilliant local bands who
performed wonderfully and delighted the damp crowds, the final
burst had an amazingly diverse audience of all ages singing
along to Rolling Stones hits punched out by the General! There
was a great array of food - something to please everyone, Lots
of lovely samosas, Thai food from the new restaurant, big pans
of Spanish food at the Tapas bar - all the bars had tantalising
smells from their outdoor ovens and grills. As usual, lots of
interesting stalls gave our visitors plenty to look at (and
buy!) On the Green we had a swing band, much appreciated. Again
many stalls and of course, the face painting!
It was a trouble free day and the large crowd enjoyed it all. We hope for
better weather next year..."
Virtually all the Traders are open on the day and all
support the Festival. We even have several local residents who give
time and help with the bunting and delivering letters. Our thanks to
all of them. All the Tombola prizes are donated and the stall is
cheerfully manned every year by members of South Manchester Rotary
Club to whom we are most grateful.
Funds raised over the years have provided the Park with all
the play equipment, new fencing, picnic benches, bins, new drainage
, notice boards and some bird boxes, the current project is to sand
and paint all the fencing around the Park.
We are indebted to Logoprint for the posters and flyers, for
all the help generously given by Manchester Leisure, Operational
Services and the Chorlton area Police Team – finally a Big Thank You
to Dave Smylie, his team and all the bands.
We hope that you will have an enjoyable day and that you
will often return to Beech road and tell all your friends about the
Jewel of Chorlton!
