Mediaeval Fayre 2006
"After the Deluge"
From 7 am until about 2 pm the rain was relentless but the Fayre went on much as usual, we all just got very, very wet!
As usual the Fayre started with the parade but a parade with a difference. Thanks to the prohibitive costs of road closures we had a walking parade led by the Flower Queen, Bethan Lindsay, and her four attendants in a beautifully decked out pony and trap. It ended up on the green where Sedgefield Primary School, the Hardwick School and the Caravan Club arranged themselves in tableaux. Hardwick school were the winners with St George and the Dragon but it was a close run decision.
The Fancy Dress (won this year by Joseph Dredge) was diverted to Ceddesfeld Hall and Sedgefield Primary School Country Dancing to the Parish Hall. The only casualties of the weather were Taekwondo as the conditions were too dangerous for them but otherwise it was business as usual.
Those brave souls who came out despite the weather still enjoyed all the fun of the Fayre. Black Sheep Morris, Durham Rams and the Knights of the Black Phoenix all performed on the green and Ridgeway Falconry put on a stunning display just as the rain stopped. The Tug-of War always draws the crowds and this year was no exception, the Scouts winning the Junior trophy and Northern Counties Caravan Club the Senior trophy. Those venturing into the Church were entertained to a free concert from the Northumbrian Pipers, the Senior Lyrics, the Lyrics Youth Choir and the new very talented group Lirica.
Very many thanks to everyone who helped. To those who collected round the village, those who sorted every night in Ceddesfeld Hall, those who manned the stalls all day on the green, the Round Table putting the stalls out and in, the Police, our sponsors and everyone else who contributed, there was great community spirit - long may it last.
As usual Sedgefield residents generously gave us lots of goods to sell - thanks to all of you. The Fayre is now a regular event in Sedgefields' calendar and entertains visitors from all over the county. It is, however, held to raise money to support Sedgefield Community Association and despite the awful weather the provisional total is £4500 so '3 cheers' for all those volunteers who made it happen.
Wendy Gill
