Arnesby May Fayre 26 May 2008
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The 28th annual Arnesby May Fayre went ahead as planned despite the showers
and strong, sometimes gale force winds. Around 650 cars and around 2,000 people
braved the elements and enjoyed the mix of 
quality food, music and entertainment
that has become so popular to thousands of people over the years. An amazing
profit of £4,900 was made this year which will be used to
support local organisations and amenities. Photo Album»
Entertainment this year included performances on the green by rock and country
band the Lizzards and the string quartet Arcturus gave concerts in St Peter’s
church - as did the Wigston Band who were driven indoors for the second year by
the weather conditions. Regulars Bakanalia, the Border Morris group and Mr
Potato Man entertained visitors all around the village. The children of the Arnesby
Church of England School performed a maypole dance on the green.
There were also many displays around the village; steam engines and agricultural
machinery at the Baptist Chapel, new this year was a display by the Countesthorpe
Owl sanctuary, water colour paintings by local artist Peter Welton and a large
garden at the peak of condition was open to visitors. In the ‘Craft Village’ felters,
spinners, jewellers and model makers demonstrated their skills with great
determination before the wind got the better of them and their gazebos.
Younger children enjoyed lots of activities – many games on the Sunnydene lawn
including football skills, hook a duck, a bouncy castle and, another new attraction
this year, rides on Shetland ponies. A team of four face painters were kept busy
during the day. Skittles and the coconut shy were, as always, very popular.
Centre piece of the day was the eighth running of the three villages 5 mile cross
country race which attracted over 50 runners, many from local running clubs.
Jason Williams of 
the Owls club won the adult race in a new course record time of
27 min. 40 sec. – over a minute faster than the previous best time. Laura Davison
(West End), second last year, was the first lady home in a time of 34 mins. 33 sec.
Mike Sandford (Huncote) won the Veterans (over 50) race in 31 min. 34 sec. Full Results»
The junior race over a 1½ miles course was won by Louis Diamond (17:41) and
villager Lydia Lomasney was the first girl to finish (21:50).
Retail therapy possibilities were provided by a number of stalls, although many
others decided against risking stock and tents in the conditions. Plants and herbs,
cards, jewellery and film memorabilia were available from visiting stalls and the
v
illage’s own stalls selling cakes, glass and china, ‘Good as New’, toys and books,
home made jams and ‘Junk and Disorderly’ did lots of business. The Lutterworth
golf club offered golf equipment and coaching tips.
As always there was an impressive variety of food and drink available: tea, coffee,
cakes, baguettes, burgers and bangers from several venues with traditional cream
teas and candy floss also being served. Ice cream was a difficult thing to sell but
the ice cream bicycle proved an entertaining addition to the Fayre. The bar did a
roaring trade throughout the day with customers holding on to legs of the gazebos
to keep them on the ground.
The day was rounded off for helpers and their family and friends (many of whom
also did sterling work during the day) by a ploughman’s supper in the village hall
with a lively performance from the Leicester Tigers’ resident clubhouse band Rock
Bottom and Arnesby singer songwriter Oliver Kennett.
Photos of the day»
The organising committee would like to thank all the villagers and their friends and families who put in so much effort to enable to day
to go ahead successfully
Jacque Shorrocks, Liza Welton, Debbie Dunn, Graham Middleton and Terry Emmony.
The Committee would appreciate any feedback from villagers or visitors
on any aspect of the event.
Please click here to send your comments by
email. 
