(Updated 19/8/01)

Chatsworth Country Fair goes ahead

CHATSWORTH COUNTRY Fair is still scheduled to go ahead on September 1st and 2nd, as planned. The organisers of this very popular event, which draws its audience from all corners of the UK have had to make one or two alterations to arrangements to cut out risks of infection from the foot and mouth epidemic, but, as far as possible, the event will follow the usual form.

People from infected areas are asked not to attend.

Although the gundog team test and sheepdog trial will not now take place, there will be a gundog scurry, the lurchers, the terriers and other such events. The hot air balloons, which have not so far been allowed to fly anywhere this year, will be on a tethered display in the grand ring each evening, following the beating retreat ceremony performed by the Band, Bugles, Pipes and Drums of the Royal Irish Regiment – a total of nearly fifty musicians – making the trip from Ireland to Chatsworth for the first time. A representative of the balloonists will present a cheque to the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.

This year, by popular request, especially for the younger members of the audience, there will be two breathtaking displays each day by the Flying Gunners, over twenty daring motorcyclists from the Royal Artillery.

The Grand Ring programme starts with Mounted Games at 10.45. At noon each day, The Tigers Free Fall Parachute Display team drop out of the sky – truly precision parachuting by the Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment.

The displays continue throughout the day and include the ever-popular jemima Parry Jones and her birds of prey. A Countryside Parade with Desert Orchid on Saturday. Lurchers in Action. A Vintage Car Parade, Sheep Dog Demonstration by Rob Maclean, from Norfolk. A Horse Driving display and late in the afternoon the hilarious Terrier Racing with Adrian Francis and his many legged friends.

Chatsworth Country Fair remains one of the country’s most popular events, attracting visitors from the four corners of the UK to celebrate our heritage of the British countryside. Rows of interesting shops will be open from 9.00am until 6.00pm, including two enormous rural craft marquees, model wheelwrights and spinning and weaving displays.

Entry to the Fair is £10 per adult, accompanied children, 14 and under, are admitted free of charge. Car parking is free. Entry tickets can be purchased at the gates on the day, or two-day discounted tickets are available at £17 per person. A twenty per cent discount is also available for parties of 30 or more. both of these concessions are available by sending a SAE and cheque (credit card facilities are not available) made payable to Chatsworth Country Fair 2001, before August 21st to: Chatsworth Country Fair, The Ford House, Binham, Fakenham, Norfolk NR21 0DJ, or telephone 01263 711736.