Many years ago, when my two daughters were quite young, we owned a cottage in a lovely small Devon
village. Their village fairs were always delightful and we have such fond memories of those events. So when
my daughter Tania, who recently moved to Aldbury, invited me and her sister with two young daughters to
come to the Aldbury May Fair, we were truly very excited.
When we arrived it was so charming to see the central pond square abuzz, with delightful stands and many
eager shoppers. From afar we heard some music. We followed the sound to the school playing field where
young dancers were weaving the Maypole ribbons with great skill and dedication. The watching crowd were
cheering and we joined them with delight. We were slightly late arriving, so we missed the crowning of the
Mayfair King and Queen but we saw them proudly waving at the crowds in true majestic fashion.
No sooner was the maypole dance over than my little granddaughters ran to the bouncy castle and the
inflatable slide, not forgetting the small merry-go-round. Pure delight for young ones.
When that adventure was over, quick jacket potatoes and pizzas satisfied our hunger pangs (more veggie
options next year please!) and we moved swiftly on to the next exciting activity – crafting at the Memorial
Hall. Here so many young creative minds enjoyed making mobiles, pasta picture frames, beautiful balsa
painted birds and various other lovely creations. My own granddaughters (aged 8 and 5) made sweet tiger
mobiles, and they absolutely love them.
While they were working away, I volunteered to help serve drinks to the participants in the Hall, young and
old. I was very happy to do that until, at two o’clock sharp, we all had to hurry on, back to the school field:
the Tringtones Choir was making its appearance. Since my daughter had recently joined that choir, we were
not going to miss it, come what may! We made it just in time to hear (and even sing along with) the lovely
songs in their repertoire. I have to admit ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ had me in tears.
With the singing over, we hurried back to the village square where the energetic Aldbury Morris dancers
were delighting the cheering crowd with their kerchief waving and stick smacking. The main attractions of the show were undoubtedly the fiddleplaying Green Man and the unmissable horse. We loved it all.
On to the next delightful ‘chapter’- up the path through the churchyard where more varied standswereawaiting us with rat catching, tombola and bestof all – the teddy tower of terror! With little furry toys zooming down the zipwire from the turret, straightinto the eager open arms of the little ones. Shrieks of delight made it the best ending of a great day!
Thank you, Aldbury! Can’t wait till next year
