A CHURCH service at the church of St Mary Magdalene at 6.30pm on Tuesday, July 26 to bless Chulmleigh Old Fair Queen-elect and her “royalty” will signal the start of Chulmleigh Old Fair week, which will run until Sunday, July 31.

Following the service the fair will be opened by the raising of the white glove by Mr Sam Moyse and crowning of the Fair Queen, Ellie Pincombe, by Mrs Paddy Moyse.

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 27 will include a flower festival in the Congregational Church at 10am and the 60-plus stall craft and country market from 10am, the pavement artists competition from 11am and a country fair 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 and a dog show.

There will also be afternoon teas in the Town Hall, a golf challenge and handbell ringers and, in the evening, a music night at the Golf Club followed by dancing to “Barracuda”.

Thursday, July 28 will see the flower festival continue in the congregational church from 10am and from 10am to 5pm, and an exhibition entitled "Lost Chulmleigh" by Brian Jennings in the Town Hall.

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.

At 2pm here will be a town walk, meeting at Red Lion Corner.

The Motor Scavenge will begin at 6.30pm from the Town Hall, and from 7pm there will be a party at the Pavilion with Music, Magic and Mayhem with Captain Coconut, children’s entertainment, families welcome.

From 7pm the skittles tournament will begin at the Red Lion and the Old Court House.

Friday, July 29 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.

The exhibition "Lost Chulmleigh will also run from 10am to 5pm in the Town Hall.

The juniors six-a-side football will run from 1pm.

That evening will also see the seniors six-a-side football tournament take place at the Playing Field.

Saturday, July 30 begins with a coffee morning from 9am, the golf challenge also from 9am and from the same time, the "Lost Chulmleigh" exhibition will be open until 12 noon.

The flower festival will run from 10am to 4pm and from 10am there will be orienteering for novice and experienced.

From 10am to 2pm there will be a Living History Encampment at the playing fields and at 12.30pm a re-enactments Battle Skirmish.

Entertainment in Fore Street by North Devon Pipe Band will begin at 2.15pm.

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 grand draw and much more.

At 4.30pm the skittles final will take place and from 6pm there will be fun and games in Fore Street.

An open road race will take place from 7.30pm, when the tug-of-war competition will also begin.

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

Sunday, July 31 will see the Living History Encampment at the playing fields with Battle Skirmish at 12.30pm.

An Inter-town 20/20 fun cricket match will take place from 1pm at the cricket ground.

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

Alan Quick