Village Day

It was another glorious day for Village Day, not too hot but bright and clear. At half past eleven the traditional majestic procession set off led by the Austin Seven and Brian White and the Jazz Band. Crowds lined the road with cheering and cameras clicking - the ' Circus Comes to Town’ provided a perfect setting for the colourful costumes and displays.

The procession seemed longer and better than ever before as it streamed its way down the High Street and Church Road to the Old Barn Hall. A stilt walker displayed her art, clowns, strong men and big top displays,music from the Jazz men and the melodic sounds of Pandemonium Steel Pan Band.  All the schools produced colourful and lively displays together with the staff and so many of the parents. The procession went on and on.

Eventually it filed into the arena set up in the Old Barn Hall field where presentations were made by Michael Anderson, Master of Ceremonies, to the best dressed group in the parade and the best dressed stalls.  Michael Anderson excelled himself dressed as ring master.

The winner of the Peter Hancock cup for best dressed pre­school was Peter Pan Playschool, while the Roland Cart cup for best dressed school went to Polesden Lacey Infant School.  The boys were dressed as strongmen while all the girls were dressed as fire-eaters. The boys were carrying 'weights' made in the classroom.  They were led by the school staff dressed as clowns and the head teacher as the ring master.

Prizes for the best dressed stalls went to Churches Together, the Bookham WI and Eastwick WI but all the stallholders must be congratulated on making the day such a success.

The BCA were very generously sponsored for both Village Day and Open Gardens Day (on the Sunday) by the Vineries Garden Centre, Lower Road. Many thanks for their support.

Bookham Retail and Business Association sponsored the runners-up stall. Tiger Timber provided the lorry for the Pandemonium Steel Band.