WELCOME TO BIRDINGBURY

This is our eighteenth Country Festival. The idea of holding a two-day event was conceived in 1990. This was as a result of Bob Munro and Glyn Hotchkiss becoming 'fed up' of installing toilets and moving equipment for then annual afternoon fete. No sooner had they got everything set up, than two hours later they were taking it down again! They decided that if they were going to do such tasks they would make it more worthwhile! A committee of eight was formed and so the first Festival took place in July 1991. This made quite an impact on the village. There was great excitement as the exhibits began to arrive; particularly on hearing the many steam engines trundling along the roads towards Birdingbury. That first festival's atmosphere and excitement is something we've been trying to emulate ever since. Last year when the Lancaster bomber of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight did a display over the showground there was certainly a fantastic atmosphere. We are privileged to welcome their Hurricane and Spitfire here on Saturday this year.

The foot and mouth disease scare in the middle of 2001 was a dilemma, but when many events were cancelled, ours was postponed until October. The floods and rain of 2007 again caused many cancellations in the area, but after an emergency meeting of the committee, it was decided to carry on. We were extremely lucky and were able to have a good weekend with only a few minor hitches of being stuck in the mud - but then there were plenty of tractors to lend a hand (or a tow rope!). In 2007, our three nominated charities received £2200 each.

This year (as last year) the beneficiaries will be the Air Ambulance, the Village funds and St. Leonards Church. There are of course, other participants who earn money for their particular cause - the Stretton and Rugby Scout grops, who carry out car park duties and litter picking, and Leamingtoon Hastings Infant and Junior School (our local school) who perform the wonderful maypole dancing on Sunday.

We aim to continue to address environmental issues and this year, we are helped by Rugby Borough Council, who have provided identifiable refuse containers for waste to be separated - please help by putting your waste in the correct bin. We are also support by L.I.F.E (Long Itchington and surrounding villages for the Earth) and our local group B.R.A.G (Birdingbury Rubbish Action Group). Life also have a stand in the Church Field displaying their effrts and suggestions for a better, cleaner environment.

Finally, a big thank you to all the many people from the village, friends and contacts who give their time to running this event.

 

Shed Ender

Visitors