WINKLEIGH fair was a huge success this year, with a variety of activities for everyone to enjoy. The week-long fair took place between Friday, July 8 to the 15, with a clay pigeon shoot and church fete to start it all off. Andrew Ware, last year?s chairman, officially opened the fair, crowning the Queen, Kirsty Flitter, who was attended by Elizabeth Turner and Abigail Kettle. The queen and attendants turned up in great style, driven in a historic 1927 Rolls Royce Phantom 1, which both President Roosevelt and Winston Churchill used during the war years. Tradition was still prominent throughout the week, with Father Peter conducting a village well blessing and egg and flower service with children bringing a box of eggs and flowers to distribute among older members of the parish. Winkleigh Youth Night was new to the fair and popular with all the youngsters. Everyone entered into a record number of races and competitions, managing to collect lots of points, before George Shocklock, from Winkleigh Primary, was announced the winner. The final part of the fair saw strong competition with ?round the village? races and a ?tug-of-war? competition which was won by the Water-rats, headed by Christopher Lee. Throughout the week there was something for everyone with art and writing competitions, music, dances and a mechanical robot made out of ?junk? which squirted water at everyone. Peggy Oswald, chairman of the fair said there were ?very good? crowds for the events ? and?great enthusiasm?. Despite an exciting and frantic week, there is no rest for the committee. Peggy said ideas were already coming forward for next year, including another dance for the older members of the village, a tag-rugby competition and cricket match. Funds for the Winkleigh Fair are raised throughout the year, including a monthly whist drive which occurs every first Saturday of the month, with everyone invited.
