ALTHOUGH Flookburgh is a village, it was granted a town charter in 1662 by King Charles 11.

However, its first charter dates back to 1412, when a grant was made to Thomas of Lancaster, younger son of Henry 1V, which permitted Flookburgh to have a market of its own.

Being close to Morecambe Bay, cockle and shrimp fishing have always played a big part in village life.

WORK: A busy scene as workers pack shrimps at a factory in Flookburgh in 1974

WORK: A busy scene as workers pack shrimps at a factory in Flookburgh in 1974

There is a strong community spirit in Flookburgh and that was in evidence at the Charter Fayre in June 1984.

Rain interfered with the arrangements but the most important part of the proceedings went ahead.

The procession of decorated vehicles carrying the 1994 charter queen, Christine Oldcorn, and the retiring queen, Jane Hornby, and their retinues started from Cark-in-Cartmel and paraded through the villages of Cark and Flookburgh to the Bridge House Home for the Elderly, and then back to Flookburgh Square, where the crowning ceremony took place.

The parade was led by Flookburgh Band and included ponies and their riders and individual fancy dress entrants.

The charter queen was attended by Rachael Pounder and Helen Wakefield, with Christine’s sister, Janet, as flower girl.

The retiring queen’s attendants were Clare Hornby, Emma Bland, Sarah Procter and Kathryn Hornby.

READY: Bryn Shaw and David Brindle prepare their equipment before setting out shrimping from Flookburgh in 1974

READY: Bryn Shaw and David Brindle prepare their equipment before setting out shrimping from Flookburgh in 1974

The new queen read the charter of Charles 11, granting the village of Flookburgh the right to hold a far annually and it was officially opened by John Peatfield, head of Flookburgh C of E School.

Stalls were set up around the square and there was a tombola and special stalls manned by the Grange and District Lions and the Grange Round Table.

After the fancy dress parade the weather deteriorated and two of the high spots of the afternoon had to be abandoned - the gymnastic display by pupils of Cartmel Priory School and the visit of the Great Karlyle, magician Bob Batey, of Cartmel.