It was a real treat to make it to Wraysbury fair once again. As a child it was the only exciting thing that happened where I grew up.
And the weather was fantastic;
There were lots of floats in the procession that wound its way through the village to The Green.
Including a mini steam engine!
Lots of excited kids and not a few pom-poms;
The theme was 'The Mad Hatter's Tea Party'
This was 'Pumkins Pre School Group'
Lots of costumes and big hats;
And a big procession following the band;
We joined in at the tail end - there's nothing like stopping the traffic and walking along the middle of the road!
I made it to The Village Green and had a look at the stalls but I was rapidly running out of steam - I had to leave Robyn to walk round while I sat on one of the benches.
I had a quick look at the vintage car show, which is always a treat - especially this pink Caddie;
It was extremely hot and I was feeling quite sick - mainly from pain. Robyn was definitely losing it too, she asked me "Do you think it's the heat that's making you so hot?".
I was struggling and beginning to find it too uncomfortable to be sitting down.
I did check out my entries at The Craft Show - not my best results for my last year.
I got four 'thirds' and a 'Highly commended' but if I'm honest I think the judges were a bit harsh on me. Then again, I've never held back from being controversial and included two pictures from The Orgreave Picket of The Home Office in March. They were guaranteed to wind people up, which is why I entered them. I like being provocative.
I do think my water picture deserved better;
You have no idea how hard it is to 'freeze' water like that.
Any way I've enjoyed entering the competitions over the years, they were fun and a chance to open peoples eyes to the different worlds that were all around them, if only they opened their eyes.
We had to stay till late because I needed to collect the pictures at the end of the day and I couldn't have walked home and then come back.
By the end it was fairly agonising - but a good day all the same - even if there was a very long walk home at the end of the day.
Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com
We had a great time at the fair - this is Robyn saying hallo to a 'Skink';
There was a whole area reserved for veteran cars including a good range of commercial vehicles from the old days;
I particulary enjoyed the painstaking reproduction of a 'Post Office' telecoms van from the 1950's but I put the pictures of that up last year.
There was a good range of classic American cars including this Ford Mustang Muscle car;
A pink Cadillac, of course!
There were some british cars from a bit earlier;
And a 'Thunderbird' to die for;
There were plenty of 'Leave' posters all around;
And then finally, I had to go to the Craft Tent, where there were some amazing cakes and sausage rolls, 'lego' models and 'a garden in a seed tray'.
I really liked the section for model makers and here's a dream car from the 1960's;
It only got a 'third' place too.
Perhaps I'll have to have the original from the veteran cars section instead;
That was a bit uncanny.
Then I took a look at my photos;
I got a 'First' and a 'Third' for 'People' while for the 'Party' section I got a straight 1,2,3.
Which is about as good as it'll ever get for me;
I'll post the pictures in a few days, on a quiet day.
I have to admit that I put my entries into categories where I knew I had a good chance, avoiding some of the more popular ones.
I'm not apologetic; this year is probably my last show, not least because my health is likely to restrict my activities in future.
I know it's silly but it meant a lot.
There was lots more going on - steam train rides to raise money for the village charities;
Lots of silly string being fired off everywhere;
There was a Frank Sinatra type singer and Robyn and me....we had a dance.
And we had lots of cakes;
It was a splendid Village Fair, you couldn't ask for more (apart from a little sunshine!)
Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com
The big day finally arrived and I struggled over to the Village green to leave my photos at the craft tent.
When I was a kid, the fair was the only thing that ever happened in the village where I grew up and, in a way, it still is.
At the beginning of the 19th century, a developer tried to build an estate of houses where the village green and the memorial ground are now. there was a huge campaign to stop him and a big legal case - which was won, because there had been an annual fair on the green since the middle ages.
So, it's probably a good idea to go on doing it.
Starting with a parade through the village. I'm not sure who this was but he was very lively, bouncing around on his stilts;
There was a Town Crier and a steam engine;
And lots of floats full of local kids - the theme of the fair was a
70's disco;
So lots of records and outrageous flairs;
Plenty of silly wigs - this is 'CAST', a dance group;
Big tractors;
And mascots;
And lots of smiling kids;
Although I was still fascinated by bouncing man;
There were lots of vintage cars - and the craft tent but I'll put those pictures up tomorrow.
Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home; helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.
I've been getting ready for the Wraysbury Craft Fair tomorrow. It's very competitive; there's baking, art, winemaking, crafts. I've been making mounts for my photos.
Last year I got a couple of places including one for this picture I took at the City cycle race at Woking the year before;
This year I won't be winning anything, I don't think. The prizes mainly go for technical ability, while I take pictures that mean something to me.
So, I'm putting together a string of pictures to show people there's an alternative world out there; different politics, different lives! Provocative as usual.
It's a very conservative area so that isn't going to help my cause. I'll post the pictures here after the show.
Wish me luck - I'll be very grumpy when it's all over!
Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com
