1985 Village Day

click Village Day for list of occasions

Hallmark April 1985. by Patience Rowden

Plans are well under way for the Village Day on July 6th. All the local societies and clubs have agreed to hold a stall of some kind. Ploughman's lunches are to be served in the Village Hall along with other attractions. We are also hoping to get at least one hot air balloon to take off from the village in the afternoon. A tug-of-war competition is also to take place.

The Windmill Society are opening the Windmill and, weather permitting, will get the sails going. There will be displays by the Chiltern Society and the National Trust. Lacey Green Productions will be putting on a street theatre during the afternoon.

The raffle should be terrific. Prizes are pouring in; Ladymans of High Wycombe have donated a holiday accommodation voucher for two in a U.K. hotel of choice.

We are starting the day with a band, followed by a children's fancy dress parade, and closing with a 60s Disco and Supper in the Village Hall. The full programme and timing of events will be in the next issue of the magazine.

Proceeds from the Day will go to local charities. All those who have agreed to have a stall, and should contact Mrs Pat Smart (Hon. Secretary ) on P.R. 6102 as soon as possible. Anyone else with ideas or suggestions, or who is willing to help, please contact a committee member.

Committee: Peter Perejra (Chairman), Pat Smart, Pam Dell, Patience Rowden, Jane Pereira, Lilian Curnow, Connie Baker, Bill Cleaver, Ted Janes, Michael Hardy. For more about the committee members click Peter & Jane Pereier, Michael & Pam Dell, Ron & Lilian Curnow, Fred & Connie Baker, Bill & Madeline Cleaver

Hallmark August 1985. Village Day Report. By Correspondents Raymond Prunier and Jane Tyrer

Out and About on Village Day

The weather was perfect and everyone was happy. From the Whip to the School you went zig-zagging across the road from one sale or one display to another and you had to be quick as the programme did not let you dawdle.

It seemed very quiet about 11,30am, near the Whip. A lone climber was making his way up one of the Windchill sails. A bet? No, he was attaching canvas to it. He must have had a good head for heights, A bright, yellow hay cart drawn by a beautiful red-pomponned shire horse all a jingle with its glittering brasses making it's way towards the Village Hall, Multi-coloured bunting fluttered in some gardens where tabies were already laden: with goodies.

The Methodist Chapel had cpened its ‘doors to visitors interested in it's history, its displays-of early XXth century postcards and paintings from local artists... Villagers already foot-weary and thirsty were enjoying the refreshments.

The smell of the barbecue outside the Black Horse greeted you next and the pavement tables and chairs were pretty full. On the other side, at the entrance to the Village Hall, it was Teddy Bears and shiny mirror-faced balloons. Every child seemed to hold one in it's hand.

Inside the Hail, crowds were milling around; some consumed substantial ploughman's lunches, others hunted for good buys from the book stall where the choice was. I absolutely staggering, examined the children's clothes, admired delicately... engraved glass, marquetry pictures or hand-made lace. It was packed with keen customers.

Out in the open again, and how lovely it was to watch children folk-dancing, performing somersaults or hand stands with the assurance of professional gymnasts under the eyes of their enthusiastic parents and friends.

What fun to throw wet sponges at a supposed offender in the pillory! A good recipe for getting rid of one's inhibitions.

If you were hungry or thirsty, crepes, hot-dogs, ice creams at very reasonable prices provided you with the energy to carry on revelling.

Tombolas, sheet-theatre, plants for sale, bric-a-brac, pockets and purses, all for a good cause.

For me, there were several highlights to the day: the buzzing helicopter hovering like a dragonfly over the field as it took off, skimming over the tree tops and then rising into the sky to circle over the village: Lacey Green from the air: the faces of the children watching in wonderment Zena's Magic Show and their excited voices erupting with joy and laughter: the beautiful floral displays in St. John's, absolutely ravishing with their combinations of colours, choice of blooms, balance of heights; they looked like Dutch paintings out of their frames: last, but not least the Windmill that I had seen in the 50's sadly rotting away and leaning as if ready to collapse, now in fuil sails, turning happily on, and on, and on without a sound but the swishing of the wind, standing tall and proud in it's renewed splendour. I stood watching it in sheer delight.

Happy and tired the villagers went home that day with much to talk about and remember, The Editor's dream had magnificently come true thanks to the perfect organisation of the Committee and the co-operation of all the village associations. Well done, Lacey Green (R.P.)

Dawn had broken some – little – time before I awoke – had the week's glorious weather followed suit?

Dare I look out of the window to see? I dared – the worst had not happened – it was a beautiful day.

That worry out of the way, all that remained was to get the family up and fed, and two bikes decorated before 11 o'clock. This too was accomplished with only a few expostulations relating to who was supposed’ to be doing the bike-decorating anyhow, and at a quarter to 11, ours became the second car parked in the Palmer & Harvey car park. This position had been strategically chosen for the short walk to the school for the opening events of the day. Short? It seemed like 10 miles with 2 small children and 2 unwieldy bikes to manhandle across the Main Rd.

This indeed was to me the major drawback of the day and which all the planning and imagination so evident throughout could not, of course, overcome.

When one is walking up and down the village especially accompanied by small children (one of whom was by this time not-to-be-parted from a large pull-along lorry) the road seems to stretch endlessly and the anticipated problem with the traffic becomes nightmarish. However, I do not advocate a return to the type of event held in one large field, it was a village day because it took place throughout the village.

One criticism I have was exacerbated by the time taken. to negotiate the ‘journey! from one end of the village to the other. Having covered that distance in order to see the final of the tug-of-war, we were not best pleased to find it had taken place ahead of schedule. Events that are late mean people have to wait, those that are early are missed. Generally, it would have been helpful if more – and more accurate – details of events had been available in the programme.

Whilst we did not see the tug-of-war at ‘Hickman's Field, we did discover the clever 'ticket' system for prizes whereby holders of any number of tickets could exchange them at the end of the day for suitable prizes. This was a masterstroke as was the Village Treasure Hunt – I am still puzzling over some of the clues. Home just before 5 to the sound of a scream signifying the escape of the carefully clutched helium balloon. Dad was despatched for a replacement joining a queue at the Village Hall of similarly employed fathers. That tragedy remedied, we could assess the day. We were tired, footsore, and sunburned, having spent 6 hours being entertained in and by our two villages, in ways that far outshone those usual in the ubiquitous English village fete. Despite being there the whole day, there were many things that we had not had time for. Truly there was something for everyone and I think from everyone – and that surely was what Village Day was about.

Thank you all, the committee and all those whose hard work made it such a success.

Roll on Village Day '86.