This is the web-site for
the Simonside Country Fair, which takes place on the second Sunday in August every year, and for our unique Hay Show,
which takes place in February every year. So this year the Simonside Country Fair was held on :
Sunday
8th August 2010.
Have a look through our web-pages to find out happened this August, it's easy to navigate
around by clicking on the page headings above, and enjoy the photos of our activities and visitors in this and in previous
years.
Report on 8th August 2010: Simonside Country Fair enjoyed record numbers
of visitors this year and the weather held fair for all of the Sunday. Early clouds
gave way to sunshine – ideal for the crowds who rolled up to our lovely countryside setting, at Forestburngate near
Rothbury. All in all everyone enjoyed a super afternoon with a packed agenda across several
rings and all kinds of edible and artistic delights on offer from fancy cupcakes to face-painting.
The weather provided ideal flying conditions for Mark French’s “Falconry Days”
team, and this year all the feathered members of the team behaved themselves impeccably and delighted the audience with their
exciting aeriel display, diving in and out of the ring to order and on time! Mark tells us that he is now
in great demand for weddings, providing falcons to swoop through the church door and down the aisle at that crucial moment, delivering
the wedding ring to the waiting parties. Sounds exciting stuff!
New visitors to the Fair from Blyth, the Donna Kimberley School of Highland Dancing, proved a very popular
hit. The troupe of young dancers, beautifully costumed, gave two very fleet-footed performances and
showed real expertise with the some of the trickier Highland steps and a display of swords. We'll certainly hope
to welcome them back next year, their performance really lit up the wrestling ring - prior to the young wrestling contenders
arriving, of course.
Other favourites returning this year played
to appreciative audiences. The North Northumberland Dog Agility team went through their paces with great
confidence and dexterity. The Rothbury Highland Pipe Band played for two rousing sets. The Alnwick
Northumbrian Pipers (from Piper's Share) serenaded Tea Tent customers. Peter Athey played the accordian
and fiddle and recited his own work outside the Craft tent. The afternoon concluded with our traditional children’s races, anyone for a backwards
1000 yards sprint? Followed by a lively Egg Throwing competition, a parade of Novelty Dogs and of course
the Grand Finale of Terrier Racing.
The day’s numerous
competitions – Sheep, Terriers, Industrial, Sticks and Wrestling – were all well subscribed this year, and organizers
reported excellent support from the Fair’s numerous business and personal sponsors. This year the
committee were particularly pleased to receive assistance from the Northumberland National Park Authority with road safety
equipment and two new Sheep Show classes.
But first we'd like to say a very big thank you to our loyal business and personal
sponsors, on whose generous help we depend. We hope that in return for their support the Fair gets a whole lot
better organised and more fun for those attending year by year. See our sponsors page for a full list and updates, and also
check the links page for links through to some of their web-sites.
If you haven’t yet made a donation
or sponsored one of the show activities but would like to do so, for this year or next year, please contact the secretary
on : secretary@simonsidefair.co.uk or the chairperson on 01669 621954.
Photo Gallery
from the 2010 Fair - hot from the press.
