e-mail

    help

 May Fair Success for Stoke Gabriel

The sun shone, the stallholders were ready, the gates opened and several hundred people poured into Yarde Farm in Stoke Gabriel for the village’s annual May Fair. 

“I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw all these people queued up along the road.  It was a fantastic success,” said Cathy Mittler, one of the organisers. The event raised £1,470 for Stoke Gabriel Primary School.  

The May Queen, Jess Wills, age 11, led the dancing around the May Pole to the music of local accordion player Marjorie Clark.  There was singing by the school choir and everybody enjoyed the traditional Punch and Judy shows.  Behind the puppets was Professor Mark Poulton who is summer resident on Weymouth beach.

 Kate Peakman who lives in Stoke Gabriel said: “It was a lovely country fete.  It reminded me of something out of Midsomer Murders, but without the murders!”

 With cream teas, licensed bar, barbeque, candy floss and toffee apples, there was plenty to keep everyone fed and watered.  There were things to buy, prizes to be won and fun to be had on the bouncy castle, penalty shoot out and tree dressing to name but a few of the stalls. 

 Many people came from outside the village as Stoke Gabriel is becoming known for its traditional village events.  The January Wassail celebrations, that bless the new crop of cider apples, also draw a large crowd.  Rick Evans who won the Treasure Garden game had come from Plymouth.  He said: “It was a lovely village atmosphere that was friendly and lively.”

 The feel-good story of the day was of a boy whose lost wallet was bought from the bric a brac stall by someone who returned it to its owner with the £36 still inside!

By Julie Goodall ( of Stoke Gabriel)

The Website and its operators accept no responsibility for the content of  articles.