The weather wasn’t the only thing that was glorious about the 2016 Tilston Wakes extravaganza.

The popular event never fails to attract the crowds for a bank holiday weekend of action packed activity and fun.

This year’s Lord Mayor was Ron Hints who was born and brought up in Tilston.

After moving to the Green, the Lord Mayor crowned Miss Wakes, Shannon Williams, and her flower girl Amelia de Vera Davey. They then took their places in the beautifully decorated cart and horse and led the procession to Tilston Playing Field.

In the procession were musicians, the Tilston Giants, the American Civil War Society and various people in fancy dress.

After parading around the field the fancy dress winners were chosen by the Lord Mayor, Miss Wakes and her flower girl.

Winners were: 1. Fantastic Mr Fox, Finlay Williams; 2. Harry Potter, Kieran Whittingham; 3. Rebel, Henry Taylor.

Prettiest: 1. Wonder Woman, Nell Whittingham; 2. Fairy, Emily Fry; 3. Fairy, Martha Edwin Scott.

Comical: 1. Minion, Sue Willett; 2. Lego man Lord Mayor, Mark Bickley and Nicola Prince; 3. Princess Fiona, Rachel Edwards.

The American Civil War Society did a re-enactment and there was a bouncy castle and fairground.

Later in the evening there was an excellent live band, the Tone Junkies, along with real ale and a barbecue while the ox-roast was started.

On the Sunday following an open air service led by the Rev Jane Stephenson, there were many events.

The American Civil War Society, who had camped on the field for the weekend, did another re-enactment. There was Cowboy Joe, Terry Large and his Falcons, chainsaw carving, the hounds and beagles and various other stalls for all age groups plus the fairground.

At 4.30pm the first slice of the ox was cut by Tommy Weaver and this was auctioned off for £310 to Martin Downs and followed by further auctions and ox butties being made for the queues that had formed.

In the evening a rushbearing service was held in St Mary’s Church, a quiet service for people to remember loved ones who may have recently died.

The cutting of the first slice of the Tilston Wakes ox-roast has always held special significance. It is an honour to be invited to make the initial cut into the prime beef which is then placed on a silver salver and offered for auction.

This year, the honour fell to Tommy Weaver who has lived all his life in Tilston. He has done volunteer work for many years on the Erddig estate, earning a long service award last year.