Stars of the screen was the theme of this year’s Bunbury Village Day in a nod to the filming of hit ITV show Home Fires in the picturesque village.

Hundreds of people descended on Bunbury Playing Fields on Saturday (June 20) to enjoy a jam-packed programme of attractions including a classic car display, fairground, puppet show and a fancy dress parade of children who had dressed up as their favourite film or television characters.

Recently recommissioned for a second series, Home Fires is about the women of the Great Paxford Women’s Institute which unites the community at a time of great uncertainty.

Executive producer Catherine Oldfield said the cast and crew ‘loved’ filming in Bunbury and were ‘thrilled’ to hear that the programme had inspired the theme of this year’s event.

'Something for everyone'

Julie Summers, author of Jambusters which inspired the Second World War drama, was on hand to launch the festivities, host the Rose Queen ceremony and sign copies of her book.

“There was something for everyone, from the Rose Queen and her entourage, the wonderful floats to the classic cars and the 1940s kitchen, not to forget the donkeys,” she said.

“For me it was particularly special to be at the Bunbury Village Day during the Women’s Institute centenary year and I am so delighted that such a beautiful corner of Cheshire is becoming widely appreciated.”

Retiring Rose Queen Ellie James and her attendants Megan Stansfield, Emily Flynn, Paige Edwards, Aimee Doyle, Alice Totty and Phoebe Williams passed on their duties to new Rose Queen Ella O’Brien and her attendants Tilly Jones, Poppy Mary Newman, Emily Thurssell, Elsa Blythin, Charlotte Thirlwall and Katie Thirlwall.

Highly anticipated improvements to Bunbury Playground were started when local children placed the first spades in the ground.

Money raised from the day will be ploughed back into community organisations.

Organiser Andy Davis added: “This year’s Village Day was a real success and could not have taken place without the huge amount of help that we have received.

“Thank you to everyone who has donated prizes, equipment and their time!”

The Village Day team is appealing for more volunteers to join them.

For more information, email contact@bunburyvillage.info.