Summer Fairs Past
The Playing Field are celebrating their 50th year with a Summer Fair in July.
Tipton has seen many fairs over the years, bringing the community together.
In the early 1900's the fair included an athletics meeting with serious flat races and hurdles, along with fun ones like the sack race and wheelbarrow run (blindfolded!). In 1906 The Tipton Band played a selection during the afternoon and there were refreshments in a marquee by 'a selection of ladies'. A tug of war was held across the Otter and the day was completed with an evening of dancing.
Also in 1906 the Devon Imperial Yeomanry gave displays of amongst other things, tent pegging, lemon slicing (with swords) and wrestling on horseback. There was also a tug of war on horseback with Sargent Yelvertons team winning.
In 1942 the fair was run in aid of The Merchant Navy funds and the schoolchildren gave an exhibition of Country Dancing. There were races for children and adults, including a slow bicycle race and the Bonny Baby show had 27 entries!
The Summer Fair during the 1960/70s became a week long celebration, with skittles matches being held at the back of the pub. There was Morris Dancing in the streets, and a soap box derby was held on Chrystel Close hill . The Wheelbarrow race was always very entertaining to watch with competitors collecting a brick and 'downing' a 1/2 pint of beer or lemonade at all the stops around the village, with their decorated wheelbarrow. The competitors could be a bit wobbly by the time they finished (if they managed to finish!) .
A Summer Fair Princess competition would be held on the run up to the fair, with children of the village selling penny votes . The child with the most votes would be crowned princess on the day of the fair. The Princess would arrive on a float decorated with flowers and material. I remember watching the farm trailer, usually used for hay and straw, being transformed with flowers, in the farmyard at Hayne Barton. As a child growing up during this time the fair was one of the major events of the year and anticipated with great excitement. Summer fairs haven't been so regular the last few years, but those we have had have evoked the same community spirit and fun, with "its a knock out" style races, tug of war and obligatory night of dancing!
I really hope that this years Summer Fair will enthuse our children and the wider community to take part and have fun celebrating the Playing Fields 50 years anniversary.
