THE folk of Gunnislake joined together for the village's annual four-day festival last week, where plenty of entertainment was provided as well as thought-provoking displays on the theme of the First World War — one hundred years after its commencement. The start of the Saturday Street Fair — a fancy dress parade led by parish crier Hilary Fairhurst — was augmented by the arrival of the Cornish Arm of the Vikings, a band of warriors who had unsuccessfully fought the Saxons on nearby Hingston Down in the 9th century, a battle which led to the loss of Cornish independence. The re-enactment of the battle in authentic Viking dress drew admiration from the watching audience. The history exhibition in the public hall, put together by Mandy Rolfe, told the story of tragic battles a thousand years later as many local men left the village to join the British Forces at the start of World War One, a theme picked up by the Gunnislake Amateur Dramatic Society (GLAD) who reprised a scene from their successful February production. Music was provided by Yorkie, Blue Angel, the Turnpike Jumping Out Jazzmen and crooner Michael Campari, while many stalls provided goods and children were entertained with a bouncy castle and sideshows. The festival also provided an exhibition from the Festival Group of Artists, the Callington Singers' Little Choir performed a concert in the church and on the Wednesday the public hall was full for a showing of the film 'The Tamar Valley — Reflections in Time'. The four village pubs held their own festival entertainment with a variety of bands and Kate Threlfall led an historical tour of the village shops and shopkeepers. All throughout the festival, the quirky scarecrows overlooked the village. Brought back after a number of years' absence, around 20 scarecrows made by villagers with the theme of World War One were scattered in prominent positions throughout Gunnislake.