Action-packed programme for 762nd Chulmleigh Old Fair

A CHURCH service at the church of St Mary Magdalene at 6.30pm on Tuesday, July 28 to bless Chulmleigh Old Fair Queen and her “royalty” will signal the start of Chulmleigh Old Fair week, which will run until Sunday, August 2.

Following the service the fair will be opened by the raising of the white glove by Mrs Pam Rendle and crowning of the Fair Queen, Daisy Parsons, by Mrs Eileen Dolling.

Later will be the money scramble and children’s races followed by entertainment by Street Heat Samba Band and street entertainment by Razzle Dazzle.

Wednesday, July 29 will include a flower festival in the parish church from 9am and the 60-plus stall craft and country market from 10am, the pavement artists competition from 11am and a country fair, also from 9am, which will be held at Great Mills Park. It will include the sheep show, vintage vehicle rally and static engines, flower and produce show, children’s entertainment, donkeys and a dog show.

There will also be a golf challenge and handbell ringers and, in the evening, a cabaret party at the Golf Club followed by dancing to “Barracuda”.

Thursday, July 30 will see the flower festival continue in the parish church from 9am and from 10am to 5pm, an exhibition of Chulmleigh Old Fair Archive.

From 10am there will be the junior tennis and badminton tournaments at the sports centre and at 2pm Sport for All at Chulmleigh Playing Field.

The Motor Scavenge will begin at 6.30pm, and from 7pm there will be a party at the Pavilion with Music, Magic and Mayhem with The Zany World of Paul Zee.

Friday, July 31 begins with the horse show at 10am at Benley Cross, followed by the gymkhana at 2pm.

The flower festival continues and there will be a Treasure Trail from Red Lion Corner at 10.30am.

An antiques afternoon will take place from 2pm in the Town Hall and at 6pm the Clay Pigeon Shoot and Golf Challenge begin.

That evening will also see the six-a-side football tournament take place at the Playing Field and, from 7pm, a skittles tournament at the Red Lion.

Saturday, August 1 begins with a coffee morning from 9am, the golf challenge also from 9am and at 10am, orienteering for novices and the more experienced.

The history archive can also be viewed from 9am to 1pm in the Town Hall and the flower festival also continues.

There will be skittles for under 18s in the Old Court House from 11am .

Fancy dress competitions, for children and adults, will be judged promptly at 2.45pm and at 3pm the parade will be led by the Ploughboys Jazz Band.

There will be teas and a draw, a Town Crier competition, grand draw and much more.

There will be more fun and games from 6pm and an open road race from 7.30pm, when the tug-of-war competition will also begin.

At 8.15pm there will be the Giant Sack race, with teams of six in a sack, and a wheelbarrow race.

Dancing will follow in Fore Street into the evening with Top Class Disco.

Sunday, August 2 will see the Inter-town 20/20 fun cricket match from 1pm and from 2pm to 6pm, the history archive exhibition will again be open at the town hall.

More details are available in a programme available from local outlets, including the “Crediton Courier” office, or for further details, telephone 01769 580276.