The Floral Queen has been an important element in the Society since the introduction of the position in 1950. The Queen's role has developed and changed over the years in accordance with changes and developments in the activities of the Society itself. Briefly, wherever and whenever there has been a Society 'occasion' to which she can add a little charm and glamour (and, if possible, a contribution by way of fund-raising on the Society's behalf), she will be there under arrangements of the Queens Sub Committee. Thus, she has sold raffle tickets at the Autumn Show and the Children's Plant-a-Pot Morning, and Lucky Dip prizes at the Christmas Flower Arranging Demonstration, and she has assisted the President and Chairman in presenting trophies won at the Summer Show.

The new Queen (centre) is Jessica Smith. Attendants are (left to right) Sophie Huntington, Lucy Fairclough, Sian Fletcher and Lauren Clarehugh.

Her chief involvement, however, has always been on Show Day, when she takes the leading role in the Queen's Procession through the village to the Green, following on foot, with her attendants, behind the Society banner or, in earlier years, riding on a decorated float. In either case she will be accompanied by representatives of all the local uniformed organisations and take her place on a platform in the Arena, where the Mayor, or some other dignitary, crowns her and she is required to make a short 'acceptance' speech. Although the Queen's float no longer features in the Show Day procession, the Queen and Queen Elect have since 2001 advertised the forthcoming Ainsdale Show every year by riding through the streets of Southport to the site of the annual Southport Carnival in a 'flat-back' vehicle provided by Howards of Ainsdale and decorated by members of the Queens Committee and helpers.

The Queen was originally selected from among the ranks of comparatively mature young ladies (indeed one of them, at least, was a married woman when she was crowned), but the qualifying age bracket for applicants has been steadily reduced until today entry is restricted to girls aged between 7 and 11 inclusive living or attending school within 3 miles of the Village Green. The selection process takes place in April, when candidates are assessed by a small panel of Judges on the strength of an informal 'interview' (more of a chat, really) and on reading aloud from an appropriate text.

The Ainsdale Rosebud Competition was introduced in 1984 and is open to girls aged between 4 and 6 years inclusive. It takes place in the Arena on the afternoon of Show Day, when competitors are 'interviewed' by a sympathetic 'Auntie figure' (historically Connie Creighton or Shirley King) and duly 'strut their stuff' to catch the Judge's eye.

Record of Floral Queens

Record of Ainsdale Rosebuds