RICHARD PARR About 50,000 people are expected at Holkham Hall Estate this weekend to enjoy a celebration of country life and activities. After the Royal Norfolk Show, the biennial Holkham Country Fair is the next largest public event in the county and organisers have put together a programme crammed with activities and attractions to cater for all the family.
RICHARD PARR
About 50,000 people are expected at Holkham Hall Estate this weekend, July 16-17, to enjoy a celebration of country life and activities.
After the Royal Norfolk Show, the biennial Holkham Country Fair is the next largest public event in the county and organisers have put together a programme crammed with activities and attractions to cater for all the family.
Organiser Christopher Lloyd Owen and his team have been working for a year in preparation for this weekend's event.
In a message to the public he urged everyone attending the event to ensure they have a great time and enjoy themselves.
“Above all I want people to have fun and with the weather forecast being good for both days all is set for a wonderful jamboree in such a beautiful setting”, he said.
The show is staged by permission of the Earl of Leicester. The hall and Bygones Museum will not be open during the weekend.
As in previous years, it is expected that about £40,000 will be given from the proceeds to Norfolk charities, including the Norfolk Churches Trust, Quidenham Hospice, Norfolk Boat (Sail Training) and the Heritage House Day Care Centre at Wells.
On both days of the event, which is staged in association with the EDP, there is a full Grand Ring programme with an opening ceremony at noon.
The Grand Ring programme includes the Imps Motorcycle Display Team, the Essex Dog Display Team, precision freefall parachuting by the Tigers, appearances by the Gamegoer Gundogs and military music from the Band of the Light Division.
There is a rich variety of country sports and pastimes, including horse-shoeing, demonstrations of spinning, weaving and dyeing, crossbows, fly casting competitions, gundog scurry, a lurcher show and racing.
In addition there will be an Old Time fairground with some old favourite rides, helicopter rides giving views over the estate and the coastline, and a variety of rural crafts.
There are plenty of opportunities to take home a souvenir, with over 200 trade stands which are open from 9am.
More than 20 voluntary Special Constables will be attending the fair in a support role. The 24 officers will be assisting with traffic duties and providing high visibility patrols. The officers will also assist with overnight security at the event.
A recruitment stand for the Special Constabulary will be present along with a mobile police station.
t The gates open at 8.30am each day and entrance is £10 per head. Children under 14 are admitted free if accompanied by an adult. There is free car parking and dogs on leads are welcome.
t The EDP will have two roadshow units at the fair and copies of Saturday's EDP and goody bags will be on sale. There will be free wine tasting with members of the EDP team from 11am until 3pm with experts from The Cellar d'Or.
GRAND RING PROGRAMME
Saturday
t 10.45: The Mounted Games Association of Great Britain
t Noon: Opening Ceremony with The Tigers Free Fall Parachute Display Team followed by The Band and Bugles of The Light Division, escorts of The Imps, the Mounted Games Association and a Parade of Royal British Legion Standards
t 12.45 : The Imps Motorcycle Display Team
t 1.15: The Essex Dog Display Team
t 1.45: Flying demonstrations with Charlotte Hill and her Birds of Prey
t 2.15: Countryside Parade
t 2.45 : The Gamegoer Gundog display with Graham Watkins
t 3.15: The Band and Bugles of The Light Division culminating in the Holkham Country Fair Children's March Past
t 3.45: Vintage Car Display
t 4.15: The Essex Dog Display Team
t 4.45: Aerobatics Display with Stephen Carver & Gary Ferriman
t 5pm: Terrier Racing with Adrian Francis and the Terrier Roadshow Team
t 5.30: The Imps Motorcycle Display Team
t 6pm: Closing Ceremony with The Tigers Free Fall Parachute Display Team followed by The Band and Bugles of The Light Division, escorts of The Imps & Mounted Games Association
t 6.30: Sounding Retreat Ceremony
Sunday
t 10.45: The Mounted Games Association of Great Britain
t Noon: Opening Ceremony with The Tigers Free Fall Parachute Display Team followed by The Band and Bugles of The Light Division, escorts of The Imps, the Mounted Games Association and a Parade of Royal British Legion Standards
t 12.45 : The Imps Motorcycle Display Team
t 1.15: The Essex Dog Display Team
t 1.45: Flying demonstrations with Charlotte Hill and her Birds of Prey
t 2.15: Countryside Parade
t 2.45 : The Gamegoer Gundog display with Graham Watkins
t 3.15: Service of Thanksgiving with The Band and Bugles of The Light Division culminating in the Holkham Country Fair Children's March Past
t 4pm: Vintage Car Display
t 4.30: The Essex Dog Display Team
t 5pm: Aerobatics Display with Stephen Carver & Gary Ferriman
t 5.15 : Terrier Racing with Adrian Francis and the Terrier Roadshow Team
t 5.45: The Imps Motorcycle Display Team
t 6.15: Closing Ceremony with The Tigers Free Fall Parachute Display Team followed by The Band and Bugles of The Light Division, escorts of The Imps & Mounted Games Association
t 6.45: Sounding Retreat Ceremony
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