Perfect weather and a stunning setting combined to make the first Corfe Castle May Fair since 2019 a spectacular success.
In the grounds of the National Trust-owned Corfe Castle in Dorset, various local organisations set up stalls around an arena, where a number of activities took place throughout the day on Monday 29th May 2023.
Fine weather brought out the crowds
Promising ‘something for everyone’
This was the first time that the May Fair had been able to take place in three years, with the Covid pandemic making it impossible for the event to go ahead in 2020 and 2021 and then in 2022 the date clashed with the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Promising ‘something for everyone’ there was a grand raffle, refreshments, traditional games, books, bric-a-brac, plants, produce, gifts, arts and crafts and a tombola.
Plenty to read at the book stall
The local women’s group Aquarius were in charge of the refreshments
May Fair organiser Steff Robinson with the raffle tickets
“It’s a village event by the community for the community”
Organising the event was Corfe Castle resident, Steff Robinson. She said:
“I’m really the coordinator – it’s the individual stall holders that have done all the hard work of setting up their stalls.
“It’s not to be underestimated the amount of effort it takes to carry all the bric-a-brac and books. And we must say thank you to all the team from Aquarius for all the tea, cake and scones!
“Each stall keeps all the money they raise, so that means the funds will be going direct to local organisations like the football club, the library and the drama group.
“It’s a village event by the community for the community and a great way to bring us all together!”
Cute hand knitted gnomes to buy
This family have been visiting Corfe Castle over the May bank holiday since 1972 and were delighted to be able to get their raffle tickets at the May Fair once again!
Corfe Castle jam – better preserved than the castle!
Mini pantomime performance of Peter Pan
In the arena there were events and entertainment from 10 am to 4 pm with dance displays by Athena Theatre Works, a ukulele band, Nordic walking taster sessions, a dog show and agility display by Moonlight Dog Agility Club plus a mini pantomime performance of Peter Pan by Corfe Castle’s own drama group Double Act.
Don’t miss it – Agatha Crusty and the Health Spa Murders performed exclusively at Corfe Castle village hall for three nights only
Having a raving good time – Double Act perform a mini pantomime!
“We do have a lot of fun!”
David Kemp from Double Act said:
“We’re here to advertise our next play that we’ll be performing in November – a murder mystery called Agatha Crusty and the Health Spa Murders and also to encourage more people to join our drama group.
“There’s plenty going on with drama workshops and of course the mini pantomime of Peter Pan that we’ve been performing today with plenty of audience participation. We don’t claim to perform to the highest level of theatrical excellence but we do have a lot of fun!”
With the castle grounds open to everyone, not just the locals, the May Fair drew in the crowds, making it a good day for the National Trust and a profitable one for the village.
Stalls included Lewis Manning Hospice Care and the National Trust
The dog show and agility classes proved entertaining and popular
Bird’s eye view from the top of the castle ruins
Further information
- More about Double Act, including how to buy tickets for its murder mystery and more about its summer murder walks, is on its website
