Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2008 | Page 10

FOREWORD

Traditional fair
raises £7,000 for
local charities

The annual Shorwell
Midsummer Fair took
place at North Court,
Shorwell on Saturday
21st June.
The event now in its 48th year
is a traditional English village
fair with no trade stalls or
exhibitors, but attractions,
games, exhibitions and stalls
run by local people and
organisations.
As well as the usual stalls
and games there were also
demonstrations of traditional
wood turning, of spinning
and weaving, an archaeology
display and an art exhibition
by local artists in North Court
House.
Over 200 people wandered
aroundthe beautiful gardens of
North Court which were open
for the day. The local metal
detectors in Saxon and Roman
costumes caught the eye as
they ran the stocks, and swing
music by Ryde School band
and the Ryde School Teachers
Folk Group pleased the crowd.

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In the main arena there were
displays by local adult and
children dancers; the RSPCA
dogs agility show proved
popular, as did the various
children's ra ces. Despite the
odd shower of rain, visitors
still ate their creamteas and
homemade cakes or sipped
Pimms.
The Committee were
thrilled to report takings of
almost £7,000 a best-ever
total, which after expenses
will be distributed to local
organisations and groups.

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