EARLY thoughts on Friday that the 116th Tedburn St Mary Village Fair the next day, September 10, might be cancelled because of the death of the Queen the day before were dropped because nearly everyone who had contacted the chairman was in favour of it going ahead.

Marquees had been put up during the previous week by volunteers after they had finished their day jobs, direction signs were out, power supplied to the various attractions needing it and a few people were camping on the field for security.

A Union Flag flew at half mast throughout the day.  As in many places, there was a two minutes’ silence at 2pm, then Tedburn Community Choir sang the “National Anthem” with lots of people joining in.

There had not been a Fair for two years due to covid but this year’s more than made up for that.   Surely more people than before made their way to the fields, there was food, drink, excellent music, fun for children such as the climbing wall and straw bale “castle”, things to watch such as the smithing or take part in such as axe throwing, archery or circus skills.

Helping things along were Tedburn WI members serving home made cakes, quiches and cream teas, the bar, Oinkers food stall among others, superb music from the Abba tribute band “Take A Chance on Us” and the three-piece acoustic rock band “Horse with No Name”.

Cornish solo artist Josh Taylor brought a new twist to his acoustic covers.  Exeter Railway Band also played and there was a display by the local judo group.

Among the cars, tractors and stationary engines was Victor Brook’s 1961 Fordson Super Major tractor that he drove from John O’Groats to Lands End in May, raising £11,500 for Devon Air Ambulance, 1,024 miles.

He has owned the tractor since 2016 and restored it to its present condition.  It took 11 days to do the trip.  Vic has a Just Giving page, tag victor-brook, he lives at Doddiscombsleigh.

He said he was able to do the trip on red diesel, it took 300 litres, with his tractor doing 13 mph.  His wife, Daris, drove their camper van and organised overnight stops and food.  Vic’s brother went along as well and his daughter cycled the route, raising about £6,000 for Shelterbox.  Each engine at the Fair received a commemorative plaque.

Tedburn History and Information Society had a stand packed with information, the newest being the Ley Subsidies of 1322 and 1544.  On sale were its 2023 calendars as well as fridge magnets, postcards and more.

The flower tent was always full of visitors.  This year there were 44 entrants and 44 children taking part with 279 entries altogether, down on previous years but the organisers were really pleased with this number considering the strange growing season.

TROPHIES

Gillian Gratton won the cup for the most outstanding exhibit in the show, a trug of vegetables.  She also won the prize for the best display of produce.

Martin Rich took home the cup for the highest points scored in the show, the cup for most points scored in the flower section and the cup for gaining most points in the dahlia classes.

Alen Ward won the cup for gaining most points in the vegetable classes, Marilyn McKnight won the cup for gaining most points in the adult craft classes.

Sharon Anthony won the cup for scoring most points in the adult cookery classes.   Adrian Iles took the cup for the heaviest pumpkin.

The rose bowl for gaining most points in the flower arrangement classes went to Teresa Rainbird.  Judy Sandford won the cup for the most outstanding flower arrangement.

Peter Bromell’s pom-pom dahlia won the salver given by his late sister, Joy Finlinson, for the most outstanding bloom.

The cup for the most outstanding exhibit in the craft classes went to Bob Coles.  In the junior section, Ollie Taylor won the shield for most points scored in the children’s classes, the cup for junior photography and the cup for gaining most points in the children’s classes age 11-16.  Archie Taylor, they were not brothers, took the cup for the best exhibit in the children’s classes and the cup for gaining most points in the age 10 and under classes.

Certificates for the children’s Best in Section went to Jasper Rayner (six years and under with a recycled crown), Archie Taylor (7-10 years for handwriting) and Ollie Taylor (11-16 years for his pumpkin).

Trophies were presented by Marie Finlinson.

BALLOONS

Members of Tedburn and Cheriton Young Farmers’ Club acted as stewards all afternoon and ran a competition to guess how many balloons were in the cab of a digger.  The total was 95, won by a local person.

The club is holding a New Members’ evening at Tedburn Village Hall on October 4 at 7pm.

They were also demonstrating shearing and had a greasy pole.