by Alan Quick

A CHURCH service at the church of St Mary Magdalene at 6.30pm on Tuesday, July 25 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 30.

Following the service the fair will be opened by the raising of the white glove by Mrs Rosemary Wedlake and crowning of the Fair Queen, Madilyn Crocombe, by Mr Richard Westlake.

There will also be the reading of the Royal Proclamation, which enables the Fair to take place, by Chulmleigh Town Crier.

The procession of the Royalty from the church to the Town Hall will be led by North Devon Pipes and Drums and the Town Crier.

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

Wednesday, July 26 will include a flower festival in the Congregational Church, hosted by the Methodist Church, from 10am to 12 noon and 2pm to 4pm 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 Red Harris and “Barracuda” and also showcasing local talent.

Thursday, July 27 will see the flower festival continue in the congregational church from 10am and from 10am to 5pm, and an archive exhibition can be viewed 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.

There will also 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.

Friday, July 28 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 from 2pm to 6pm, the continuation of the golf challenge.

At 3pm there will be a History Walk led by Brian Jennings, meeting at Red Lion Corner.

At 4.30pm the Clay Pigeon Shoot will take place.

The archive exhibition 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 29, begins with a coffee morning from 9am, the golf challenge also from 9am.

The flower festival will run from 10am to 12 noon and 2pm to 4pm and from 10am there will be orienteering for novices and the more experienced.

From 10am to 2pm there will be a Living History Encampment at the playing fields.

Fancy dress competitions, for children and adults, will be judged from 2.30pm and at 3pm the parade will be led by the Town Crier, Fair Queen and Re-enactment Group. There will be entertainment by Barnstaple Town Band in Fore Street from 2.15pm.

There will be teas and a grand draw and much more.

The skittles final will also take place and from 6pm there will be fun and games in Fore Street.

An open road race will take place from 7.30pm.

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

Sunday, July 30 will see the Living History Encampment at the playing fields from 10am with a Battle Skirmish including Knights vs Vikings.

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 and Council Offices, Market Street, Crediton, or for further details, telephone 01769 580276.