The scouts at the New Romney parade
The last Saturday of July is always the New Romney Country Fayre and so Saturday 31 July sees me in New Romney to cheer the parade, watch the shows and tour the stands.
'The chain gang' at New Romney
Cllr Alan Snoad and his wife Rosemary, the mayor and mayoress of New Romney have invited civic dignitaries to the town hall for a cup of tea before the parade and there is time to admire the civic portraits both paintings and photos as well as other documents about the history of New Romney.
The Speaker's Badge
We also talk to one another about the history of our chains and their badges. Dr Terence Clifford-Amos, the mayor of Sandwich is also Speaker of the Cinque Ports (a position that rotates between the 14 towns of the Cinque Ports) so he also wears the Speaker’s badge of white and yellow gold, depicting the arms of the Cinque Ports surrounded by 14 diamonds. The mayors of Sandwich and Deal also have the distinction of wearing black robes and black ribbons as a mark of respect for John Drury a former mayor of Sandwich who was killed by French raiders in 1457.
Clive Wire leads the parade with red furry friend
We line the High Street for the parade which is led by Clive Wire, one of the indefatigable organisers, sporting a high-visibility jacket (Health and Safety rules!) Most every group associated with New Romney appears to be in the parade including the scouts, there are also some individuals such as local vicar Jim Field who is very appropriately dressed as Dr Syn the fictional vicar of Dymchurch who moonlighted as a pirate and highwayman.
The Romney Hythe & Dymchurdh Railway Float
There are lots of vintage vehicles and even Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway has sent a float. Massed ranks of mobility scooters join the parade as well as a single guide dog and walker and a group of athletes make a human pyramid. Collections are taken in buckets for the Fayre and for individual causes.
Jumping for joy
The parade works it way round to St Martin’s Field where there is a showring and the stalls. Here the Fayre is officially opened by William Richardson, Kent County Councillor for Romney Marsh as well as Shepway District Councillor for Lydd.
Cllrs Susan Carey & William Richardson
William is currently undergoing treatment for cancer and is weak from both the illness and the treatment so he has asked me to be with him in case he can’t complete his speech. He emphasises to me that he wants to thank the people who have worked so hard to make the New Romney Country Fayre happen and to the local businesses which have supported it. He gets through the speech without my help and we both then present the prizes to the best groups and individuals in the parade. The overall winner is a local family who have come as the ‘Romney Marsh Uns’.
The 'Marsh Uns' collect their prize
The New Romney Country Fayre is great fun. Last year I was enthralled by the racing pigs. They are not on the programme this year and, rather ominously, there is a hog roast.
Damian the vulture and handler
This year my favourite show is the birds of prey and within this a particularly vicious vulture called Damian who looks like he’d happily peck the hand off his handler.
Damian the vulture in pursuit of his handler
More cuddly are the miniature ponies and who can resist the Morris Men and their hankies.
Morris Men and their hankies
On the Fairfield Road Recreation Ground, the strong men demonstrate their strength with various tests including one where they have to turnover giant tyres.
The Human Fruit Machine
My favourite stall is the Human Fruit Machine where three people reach into a different box for a piece of fruit. It’s curiously addictive.
The Shepway Stand
My favourite stand should of course be the Shepway one and the Community Safety Unit have a good display of things to help people keep themselves and their property safe. As well as food, drink and lots of craft stalls there are also games including the traditional coconut shy. I ask John, who is my driver today, to throw for me as I am useless at ball games.
John at the Rotary coconut shy
It’s a very enjoyable day and a credit to New Romney. Congratulations to Frances Wire and her New Romney Country Fayre Committee for making it all happen.
