THERE were blue skies and the sun shone for Witheridge St John's Fayre on Saturday, June 21. Witheridge's medieval medieval charm was shown off at its best as the village buzzed from early morning to get The Square and the Parish Hall grounds ready. The Charter Fair was granted to the village in 1248. That heritage is an important part of the occasion but the fair is not just about reliving history or even keeping it going. Once a year Witheridge comes together to celebrate what it has – a North Devon village with fields of crops and livestock in all directions and The Two Moors Way through the centre. The minute you step into The Square, you know this place has something special which comes into its own on St John's Fair Day. The parade was led by Mickey and Minnie (as in Mouse) to the music of Crediton Town Band followed by vintage vehicles and tractors, motorbikes and majorettes, pre-school and primary school children, a hawk, beagles, stag hounds and entertainers. The fire engine brought up the rear and then parents and grandparents joined the procession to hear the 750-year-old Charter and watch the children dancing. But, it did not end there. There were also stalls, radio controlled tanks, ferret races, rides, children's races, men's drag race, a fun dog show and egg throwing. FUN isn't something you have to buy. You could shop or just sit on the grass, listen to Bideford Youth Pipes and Drums, eat fresh food from Ted's Farm Shop and The Hogfather, watch Punch and Judy, ask Bill about his model boats, hold a snake, wish you had the skill of Witheridge Art group, drink to the sound of "Steel the Show" or head back to The Rest-a-While for tea, enjoy a beer and burger at The Mitre or try out the new Wheelwright's Cafe. And for those with energy after 7pm, there was a free live band until midnight! St John's Fair is organised and run by volunteers who give their time and energy for nothing and it will probably all happen again next year. If you missed it, Saturday, June 20, 2015 is the date!