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Gallery 2007
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On Midsummer's Day, Saturday 21st June, Abbotsbury Heritage Fayre, for a second year running will bring by popular request, 'Midsummer Merriment' to the great and historic Tithe Barn in Abbotsbury. Set in the valley with views over the strip lynchets up to St Catherine's Chapel, across the millpond up to St Nicholas' Church and down to the sea, the tithe barn is the perfect setting for a relaxed evening of fun, feasting and frivolity. The evening begins at 6.30pm when the piper Lewis Findley will greet guests as they arrive.
The New Hardy Players will perform a short and original play that has never been performed before entitled 'The Thieves Who Couldn't Help Sneezing'. Jennifer Bailey has adapted this play from a Hardy story published in the Father Christmas Magazine of 1877. Perhaps it should be called a comedy, as it is unexpectedly humorous.
The New Hardy Players were formed in 2005 to celebrate the 100th birthday of Norrie Woodhall the only surviving member of the original Hardy Players. During 2004 a chance discovery by her friend Devina Symes of the original script of 'The Return of the Native' meant that Norrie's birthday wish of the reformation of the Hardy Players began to take shape. Norrie will be treading the boards with the New Hardy Players who, this year are commemorating 100 years since the formation of Hardy's original group.
Tim Laycock, Dorset's renowned folk singer, concertina player - amongst other instruments - and actor, with friends Robin Jeffery and Sharon Lindo from his group The New Scorpion Band will entertain and are bound to get toes tapping and voices a singing. Tim has a particular interest in the songs and traditions of the West Country and has worked with The New Hardy Players reworking the original Thomas Hardy script for 'The Return of the Native', which was a bit long for modern audiences and was subsequently performed in 2005. In 1998 Tim with friend Taffy Thomas recorded the enjoyable Salty Tales as a fundraiser for the RNLI.
The aroma of spit roast Long Horn Beef provided by The Bride Valley Farm Shop will remind revellers of the meal to come which is included in the ticket price. Vegetarians will be provided for and there will be a bar.
Music will be performed by The Crack one of the country's favourite party bands who will entertain during the meal and set the mood for dancing later. They usually have most of everybody's favourites covered form the 1950's to the present day.
There will be a Grand Draw with splendid prizes and a surprise finale.
The Abbotsbury Heritage Fayre Team and friends have been fundraising for the fabric fund of St Nicholas Church for the past few years. One repair imminent for example is the small crack in the tower of the church, which was found last year and although not threatening must be attended to as soon as possible.
Tickets for the evening are £20 - which includes a two course supper - and are available form the Co-ordinator on 01305 871085 and also 01305 871183. Summer evenings are balmy but do get chilly as the sun goes down, so we do recommend warm layers.
This evening of Midsummer Merriment would not be possible without the generosity of the main sponsors DOMVS and the Abbotsbury Heritage Team are most grateful to them and to all other sponsors.
>> The New Hardy Players
>> The Comedy
Ticket information and sales:
01305 871085/871183
Main sponsor
Coordinator: Mrs P J Houlberg
Church View, 13 Rodden Row, Abbotsbury, Dorset DT3 4JL.
Telephone/Fax: 01305 871085
e.mail: tricia@houlberg.co.uk
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