A Fayre to remember!
 

Well there it is, all over! 
And what splendid weather we were blessed with.

I could have done with the temperature being a little lower, 
but I am not complaining, as it brought in the crowd on Saturday.

Sunday was a little disappointing, as one would normally expect 
many more visitors than on the Saturday, but perhaps 
we lost a lot to the beach, or to the garden Bar-B-Qs.
 

All those I spoke to seem to have had a great weekend. 
Even the traders who lacked customers want us to stage 
the Oyster Fayre again, as they know the word will go out 
and the re-enactors will be there next time in their masses.

That can be said for the Archers as well. 
With 28 participants over the weekend, we were able to put on 
a good display of longbowmanship. All wish to shoot again another year, and this will encourage others to apply, so our target of 80 Archers 
is nearly half-way there already, although we still have not 
made up our minds whether to repeat the event. 

The prizes for this year’s show were fantastic. 
A big thank you to all those traders who donated a prize. 
A list of winners will be posted on the Bill of Fayre soon.

Few believed we would award a real solid gold Arrow head, 
and 18 carat at that, but we did, and together with the shaft, 
with its gold thread whipped fletching, 
it looked wonderful on its yew plank wall mount.

The Fayre field looked a picture of colour. 
A 150 yard broad avenue led from the entrance gate to the Arena,
which was flanked on either side by archery shoots. 
Here Wrestling, Falconry, Gun Drill and 
Tooth Pulling with Gunpowder were all well received.
 

Melford’s Mummers performed several plays each day, 
while the two puppet troupes (Perrotts Puppet Players, and 
Absolom Staffage’s Pottage Theatre Co.) kept the young ones amused 
all day while dad drank the Real Ale tent dry ... literally!
 

Picture: Steve Argent, (c) Evening Gazette

Tourney in the blazing sun must have been a challenge, but here Lancaster’s Armourie met the adversity and fought on. 
Huge crowds watched as the combatants laid in. No blows pulled here.

The Traders and Demonstrators who fanned out from 
the central Avenue seem to have lacked only sales; 
the presentation of their wares, and their approach 
to what we were trying to achieve, were a treat to behold. 
All want to come again, and I am sure that as the word gets out, more will be vying for those few valuable pitches we could add another time.
 

We got the balance just right with the catering. 
Just enough and a good variety. We would use them all again,
and maybe add a few more speciality food stalls another time.
 

A final word about my brother, Mike. 
He has worked tirelessly to make this web site as you see it today ... 
full of material, but simple to use and informative. 
Who needs clever graphics when all you want are the facts?

Mike even donned a costume for the first time, at this Fayre, 
to soak up the atmosphere and try and appreciate why we, 
who have been sweating in our wool and linen for years, 
do what we do, and tend to take atmosphere for granted.

I am sure that everyone who helped to organise the Oyster Fayre, and all who studied and revisited these pages over the past nine months, 
will wish to thank him for his care and his generosity. Thanks, Mike.
 

"So, what of next year?"  I hear you ask ...
 

We will of course announce our decision on this web site 
as soon as we make it, but in the meantime, you will all have to wait.

Until we meet again, may your cup be ever full.
 

Ted Lloyd

Grand Marshal
Oyster Fayre 2003