Youngsters prepare for Docking Hare Fair

Pupils at Docking School have been painting images of hares on rocks to promote the village's Sixth annual Hare Fair. Pictured with Rev Peter Cook are (L) Rubie Mai (6) and Mollie Able (6). Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

As part of the sixth annual Hare Fair in Docking, the children of Docking Primary School have been asked to paint a hare on a stone.

They will then have to hide the rocks in different areas of the village, which means nearly 100 hares will be tucked away waiting to be found.

Pupils at Docking School have been painting images of hares on rocks to promote the village's Sixth annual Hare Fair. Pictured with Rev Peter Cook are (L) Rubie Mai (6) and Mollie Able (6). Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Over the next fortnight, the children will have to go on a hunt to find as many as they can and take a picture of every one they come across.

The winner will be announced on Friday, October 6 and will be awarded a prize.

Pupils at Docking School have been painting images of hares on rocks to promote the village's Sixth annual Hare Fair. Pictured with Rev Peter Cook are (L) Rubie Mai (6) and Mollie Able (6). Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

The rector of Docking, Revd Peter Cook, said: 'There will be over 100 hares to find hidden around the area.

'There are lots of hares living in the wildlife around the village and we thought it was a really nice idea to capture their imagination.

Pupils at Docking School have been painting images of hares on rocks to promote the village's Sixth annual Hare Fair. Pictured with Rev Peter Cook are (L) Rubie Mai (6) and Mollie Able (6). Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

'They are quite excited about it,' he added.

The fair is named, in part, after the well-known Hare family in Docking as well as the furry animals that inhabit the surrounding fields.

Pupils at Docking School have been painting images of hares on rocks to promote the village's Sixth annual Hare Fair. Pictured with Rev Peter Cook are (L) Rubie Mai (6) and Mollie Able (6). Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

The Hare Fair will take place in St Mary's Church on Saturday, September 23, where members of the Hare family are commemorated with several plaques around the church.

The church will be converted into a market for the day with stalls in the aisles showcasing the talents of local craftsmen and artists.

Pupils at Docking School have been painting images of hares on rocks to promote the village's Sixth annual Hare Fair. Pictured with Rev Peter Cook are (L) Rubie Mai (6) and Mollie Able (6). Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

These will include textiles, jewellery, metalwork, wooden goods and locally grown plants.

There is plenty of food to suit all tastes with homemade lunches, barbeque and afternoon tea on the menu.

Pupils at Docking School have been painting images of hares on rocks to promote the village's Sixth annual Hare Fair. Pictured with Rev Peter Cook are (L) Rubie Mai (6) and Mollie Able (6). Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Games and raffles will be provided by the Docking Hare's Own Cub pack and Scout troop.

This year the fair will be welcoming back Martin Hayward Smith, an acclaimed local wildlife photographer and film-maker who wrote the book My Year with Hares.

Pupils at Docking School have been painting images of hares on rocks to promote the village's Sixth annual Hare Fair. Pictured with Rev Peter Cook are (L) Rubie Mai (6) and Mollie Able (6). Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

The free festival of arts, crafts and fun will take place from 10am - 4pm.

Revd Cook added: 'If you walk through the countryside around Docking it won't be long before you see some of the magnificent hares that grace our fields.

'All in all the Docking Hare Fair is a great trip out for all the family to enjoy.'