Despite the rain, a successful North Bovey Fair

Despite the sunny warm weather prior to the weekend, the day of North Bovey Fair, Saturday July 20, saw a return to the wet and windy weather that has characterised so much of this year. Local people like to say that it never rains on North Bovey’s fair day, but perhaps someone should tell that to the Met. Office!

Despite the alternating showers and mizzle, there was a good supportive turnout from the surrounding community, and early reports suggest that although footfall was lower due to the weather, the takings were good, which is great news for the various local causes who receive donations from the Fair. The cream teas in the parish hall always attract a regular crowd, and this year was no exception, though it is debatable whether this year the teas proved so popular because of their legendary status or because the hall was a good shelter from the rain!

Popular stalls on the Green are always the ‘Nearly New’ clothes and the Bric-a-Brac, along with the Dog Show. The Duck Race on the River Bovey was a fast one this year with all the rain creating a fast stream, but there was a dry refuge and place of refreshment on the Green for many with the Beer Tent.

The church also provided a dry space for the children’s art show, the extensive year round second-hand bookstall, and the photographic competition which this year attracted over 70 individual entries. Exhibits of crafts and a flower display brightened up what was a gloomy day weatherwise.

North Bovey Fair is very much a community affair, and the organisers wish to thank everyone who put in so much effort to make the Fair a success, the generous sponsors who provided raffle prizes and especially those individuals and organisations such as Bovey Castle who kindly lent gazebos to help keep the stalls dry. Let us hope for a drier Fair day in 2025!