ProgrammeProgrammeof Eventsof Events

Arts & Crafts • Funfair • EntertainersArts & Crafts • Funfair • EntertainersStalls & Displays • Music & DanceStalls & Displays • Music & Dance

Attractions for all the familyAttractions for all the family

March Town Centre22 April 2012 from 9.30am

Logo designed byMegan Stacey

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Welcome.....to the St George’s Fayre 2012. We’re sure you’ll find plenty to entertain you again thisyear.

If you’ve picked this programme up before the day, there might still be time to enter theArt Competition (see page 18). Congratulations to Megan Stacey, winner of last year’scompetition, whose design was used to create the logo on the front cover of thisprogramme.

As usual there’s a packed programme of events taking place in the main arena in theMarket Place, a great variety of local talent to enjoy throughout the day, while thesecond arena in front of the library hosts events and activities for children.

There is plenty more to see and do around the rest of the town too, so have a browsethrough this programme and plan your schedule.

And don’t forget to visit the craft fairs at St Peter’s Church Hall and in front of the libraryand the Holistic Fayre in the Skoulding Suite in the Town Hall.

This event is organised by Fenland District Council together with communityorganisations. As ever, thanks must go to the many organisations and local communitygroups that work for many months to put on the St George’s Fayre each year. You’ll findout more about some of them throughout this programme.

Have a lovely day!

Contents

The Performers Page 10 - 13

Map Page 15

Programme of Events Page 16 - 17

Activities and Displays Page 18 - 20

All information correct at time of going to print. Events may be subject to last minute changes.

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Fenland ArtsThe Fenland Arts Association has been supporting the Arts in Fenlandfor 25 years. As a registered charity, Fenland Arts is reliant on fundingand the support of local volunteers. Fenland Arts are actively involvedin many of the Festivals around the District, as well as the St George’sFayre in March. The organisation's website lists local events, clubsand venues and the recent lunch and film club supported by FenlandArts has been a huge hit with the older generation. Fenland Arts offers support to all Fenlandorganisations and individuals who have an interest in the Arts and is very proud to have developed20TwentyProductions to be a Community Interest Company focused on creative activities foryoung people in its own right. If you would like to know more about Fenland Arts please visit thewebsite at www.fenlandarts.org.uk or come to the entertainment tent on the Market Place at the StGeorge’s Fayre.

MARDTMARDT, the March Area Regeneration and Development Trust, is a non-profitmaking group which works to boost the regeneration and development of March. Acommittee of volunteers initiate various projects and work in partnership with othergroups. Our recent achievements include the development of the new moorings inMarch.

MARDT is pleased to be involved in helping to organise the St George’s Fayreeach year. Why not come along to our Teddy Bears’ Picnic at 12.30pm on the mound in front ofthe library. Bring your teddy in fancy dress as St George, a Knight or anything else you can thinkof. There will be a prize for the best dressed bear! Bring your lunch, blankets and parents orguardians too; there will also be a story told.

If you would be interested in finding out more about MARDT, or if you have ideas and enthusiasmand would like to join us to work towards realising them, please contact our Chair Marietta Keenoyat mariettakeenoy@talktalk.net.

While visiting this eventplease support all shops

and businesses inthe town. Rememberthey’re here to serve

you all year.

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Meet your CouncillorsDuring the day your local Councillors representing you on March Town Council, Fenland DistrictCouncil and Cambridgeshire County Council will be on hand to discuss any issues you may wishto raise which fall within the scope of those council's responsibilities.

They are here to help you so do please drop in and have a chat.

The Lions ClubThe Lions Club of March was chartered in 1976. It's members all wished to help the less fortunatepeople within the March Area. Their aims were simple:-

• Community Service,

• Fund-raising to help the less fortunate within the community and further afield,

• and have fun and fellowship whilst doing it.

The Lions Club of March has continued to go from strength to strength. After over 34 years thesame aims still hold true.

The club is in Region 1, Zone B of District 105EA, is always looking for new members and will offera warm welcome to all visitors. Visit www.marchlions.org.uk or contact Derek Rutter on 01354651892.

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Paradigm Publishing

� Editing & proofreading� Design and production of Magazines,

Business Cards, Flyers and Adverts� Consultancy for Community

Publications and Self Publishing

www.paradigmpublishing.co.uk

Scenes from the Fayre 2011

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The Performers

BondyA singer/songwriter from Cambridgeshire, Bondy will be performinga selection of his own material including his Fenland anthem "FiveMiles From Anywhere".

Check out his website at www.unsigned.com/bondy which featuresa link to view his live videos on YouTube.

Strangeworld

In a recent review Strangeworld were described as playing"progressive folk music" and as "taking the folk/roots genre andgiving it a real makeover". Played exquisitely on traditionalinstrumentation including cello, oboe, bassoon, cittern, mandolin andpiano accordion (amongst many others), the band use influencesfrom the musical spectrum to create a sound that is both unique andmesmerising. The listener is taken on a wonderful musical journey,gripped in its magical spell.

www.strangeworldmusic.com

Tom Harlock & Aimee Peart-WebbTom Harlock and Aimee Peart-Webb are two highlytalented local musicians. Both successful artists in theirown right, they perform frequently as a duo and have astrong following. They are regulars at Fenland Artsevents and if you haven’t yet had the pleasure of seeingthem, make it a priority today. You won’t regret it!

Fenland Arts presents a rich and varied selection ofentertainment for the day.

Find out more about the performers here!

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The PerformersSarah’s Street DanceSarah's street style dance is a locally run street dance schoolthat is now in its third successful year. With nearly 200students and 13 weekly run classes, we are still expanding andare constantly in demand. At St George’s Fayre a few of themany groups that take part in our classes will be performing.They consist of our Elite team that compete and performnationally and our normal street dance class crews thatperform all over the fenland area. For more information on ourclasses and performances, please contact Sarah White on07855 505 495 or check out our websitesarahsstreetstyledance.yolasite.com.

All Saints Interchurch Primary School ChoirThe choir has around 35 members who range from seven to 11 years of age. The children practiceweekly with Mrs Beeson and are very hard working and committed. Singing is an important part ofschool life and we are very proud of the standard we have reached, including gaining a nationalSilver Sing Up Award. The choir sings a range of songs from traditional to pop, and is in muchdemand to sing in the community, at church events and at care homes, especially at Christmas.We are delighted to be asked to sing at the St George’s Fayre.

Pig Dyke Molly21st Century Molly Dancing in gloriousBlack and White!

‘Pig Dyke is proud to be weird, proud toamuse, proud to confuse, proud toentertain (we hope) through our wholeperformance, including the lies thatintroduce the dances. We believe we aretrue to Molly's anarchic roots and havecreated something for audiences of thetwenty-first century to enjoy’.

www.pigdyke.co.uk

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The Performers

20Twenty ProductionsFenland Arts Association is delighted tointroduce 20TwentyProductions, aCommunity Interest Company createdas a result of all the hard work andfocused activities of Fenland Arts with young people over the last few years.

20TwentyProductions CIC is a young people focused organisation offering theatre, film, dance,music and creative arts projects to all young people in Fenland and beyond. 20TwentyTheatreruns seven youth theatres in March, Chatteris, Whittlesey, Peterborough and Deeping with youngpeople attending from ages 5 - 19. 20TwentyProductions run foundation level courses workingwith all the secondary schools in Fenland District in performing arts and film, and also work withyoung adults with learning disabilities. 20TwentyProductions support the Arts Award which isoffered to all young people who participate in our projects. Other activities include arts and craft,music, technical theatre and stage management.

To find out more about 20TwentyProductions visit the web-site at www.20twentyproductions.co.uk

The youth theatre group is performing at the St George’s Fayre is the senior March group who willhave just finished a run of shows performing The Wiz. The ages of the young people span from12 - 19 and the group meet on a Tuesday evening at March Town Hall from 7.15. Their next showwill be Grease. The younger group who age from 5 - 11 also meet on a Tuesday evening from5pm. For more information about joining March Youth Theatre contact Katherine on 07869135922 or visit 20twentyproductions.co.uk

Peterborough Highland Pipe BandPeterborough Highland Pipe Band is a uniformedmarching band that has been promoting Scottish Highlandmusic through public performances in and around the Cityof Peterborough for over 60 years. We help organisationslike The Royal British Legion to raise much needed fundsfor their various charities.

The band is available for private bookings such asWeddings, Funerals, Parties, Fetes and Corporate events.

www.peterboroughpipeband.com

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The PerformersEly & Littleport RiotEly & Littleport Riot is a Fenland women’s morris side whoperform traditional and original dances in the Border style.The Riot are named after the bread riots of 1816 thatspread from Littleport to Ely. On the second day of riotingterms were offered and accepted at Ely market square but‘free beer’ and a celebration encouraged a minority tocontinue rioting. The riot was eventually quelled by theFirst Royal Dragoon Gaurds, the Royston Troup ofVolunteer Cavalry and local militia. In all twenty four rioterswere prosecuted and sentenced, five were hung, nine were deported to Botany Bay and the restreceived jail terms of one year.

Ely and Littleport Riot have brought their own flavour and interpretation to this English folktradition; the black skirts represent the dark Fenland soil, the red hankies and bells the bloodyrevolt and clamor of the 1816 riots and the colourful waistcoats and costume jewelry theindividuality of each dancer.

The March Veteran and VintageCycle ClubThe club was formed in 1982. Our aims are to collect andrestore cycles to there original condition. We attend cyclerallies, local fetes and carnivals, also we like to participatein events which help local charities.

We have a membership of approximately 65. Our cyclesrange from 1820 Hobby Horse / penny farthings to 1970's

Raleigh Chopper. We try to wear the appropriate costume for the cycle we are riding.

May we wish the St George’s Fayre organisers and committee every success for the event.

Farcet Dance & TwirlThe troupe have been together since 2005 and in that time theyhave performed at various functions. Dance & Twirl perform tocontemporary music using dance poms and  batons. Thetroupe have proved a great success and they really enjoy theirperformances.

A feature of the troupe is the pink sports car that leads themout and also provides the backing music at outdoor events.The Chief Instructor and founder Mrs Denise Fovargue alongwith Mrs Mel Hamlet and Troupe leader Rebecca Ward allhope you really enjoy the performances.

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Programme of EventsSt George’s Square

(Market Place)

10.00am March Senior Youth Theatre will perform songs from The WIZ

10.20am All Saints Primary School Choir

10.30am Peterborough Highland Band begin their march through Broad Street

10.40am Highland Band in Market Place

10.50am Official opening by the Mayor of March, Bernard Keane

11.00am Search For A Star acts

11.45am Ely & Littleport Riot

12.15pm Farcet Dance and Twirl Majorettes

12.45pm Highland Band march from Market Place to St Peter’s Church

12.50pm Burrowmore Primary School

1.10pm Sarah's Street Dance

1.40pm Vintage Bike Display

2.10pm Bondy

2.40pm Strangeworld

3.10pm Pig Dyke Molly

3.40pm Tom Harlock and Aimee Peart-Webb

Watch out for other performances throughout the town!

For more information about today’s performers, see pages 10-13

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Programme of EventsThe Dragon’s Lair

(Library Mound)

Big Games available from 11.00am

10.30am Uncle Mick - Magic Show

11.30am Uncle Mick - Punch and Judy

12.30pm Teddy Bears’ Picnic and Story Telling. Bring your teddy and dress him up to win a prize! (Organised by MARDT - See p5 for further details)

2.00pm Uncle Mick Magic Show

All day Phoenix Circus Skills Workshop Balloon Modelling throughout the day

Plus New Craft Stall Area

Elsewhere......Morning Free balloon modelling in Broad Street

All Day Craft Fair in St Peter’s Church Hall Holistic Fayre in the Skoulding Suite, Town Hall

All Day Travellers’ Heritage Display and demonstrators in the Fenland Council One Stop Shop, Broad Street

All Day Ely Diocese mobile bell outside St Peter’s Church

10.00am - Free Children’s Arts & Crafts in the Library 2.00pm See page 19 for more information

12.00 noon - Organ Recital in St Peter’s Church 3.30pm

3.30pm 1st March Scout Group will be running a Duck Race starting at the Town Bridge. Ducks can be bought throughout the day from the Fenland Scouts tent outside St Peter’s Church

And more....... See following pages

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The John Abbott sponsored Art Competition

Create a painting or drawing with the title 'My Fenland'Age groups:

� Under 10's

� 11 - 16 years

� Over 16 years

There will be a trophy and a prize of art materials in each age group.

Entries must not measure larger than 16 inches x 12 inches (approx40cm x 30cm) and need to be dropped into March Library or TheFenland District Council One Stop Shop in March Broad Street not laterthan Thursday 19th April. Entry forms are available at schools, the libraryand Fenland District Council.

During the Fayre, competition entries will be on view at March Librarywhere final judging and prize presentations will take place. All entries inthe under 10's age group will also receive a commemorative certificate.

For the past two years John Abbott has organised and sponsored the art competition to bejudged during the St George's Fayre, with the aim of encouraging more youngsters and Marchpeople in general to get involved with painting as a pastime. Last year, the theme was to design alogo based on the St George theme, that might be considered for use in advertising the event infuture. Our winner was 11 year-old Megan Stacey of March, who came up with the shield depictinga Dragon on Crossed Swords, which was chosen by the Mayor Mr Andrew Pugh. Megan’s designhas been used for the logo which proudly adorns the front of this programme.

This year John has upped his sponsorship to present three small trophies with art materials asprizes in three age groups.

He says:

“This year I have drawn on my experiences of having been artist in residence at the Wildfowl &Wetlands Trust, Welney, painting at events there for the past 10 years and the theme is ‘Create apainting or drawing with the title My Fenland’.

I look forward to exploring other artistic mediums in future years.”

Last year’s winner,Megan Stacey,with her design

Activities & DisplaysAs well as the events in the arenas in the Market Place and the Library Mound, there are activitiestaking place all over the town throughout the day.

Have a browse through these pages and plan your day!

And don’t forget to bring your Art Competition entries to March Library or the One Stop Shop onBroad Street by Thursday 19th April (see below).

As well as the events in the Market Place and the Library Mound, there areactivities taking place all over the town throughout the day.

Have a browse through these pages and plan your day!

And don’t forget to bring your Art Competition entries to March Library or theOne Stop Shop on Broad Street by Thursday 19th April (see below).

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Children’s Arts & Crafts at March Library

March Library is hosting a number of children's art and craft activities from 10.00am - 2.00pm.Activities will be provided for children of 3 years and upwards. Come along and join in the fun!

* Designing medieval shields

* Designing flags

* Making dragons

* Making crowns

Children's Dragon Walk

Shops in March are again supporting St. George’s Fayre by running a 'Huntthe Dragon' competition for children attending the Fayre.

Hidden in many shop windows around the town are pictures of dragons.Children should pick up an entry form on the day of the Fayre from theFenland Arts stall in the corner of the Market Place. Hunt down the dragonsin the shop windows and note the colour of their chest on the form. Returnthe forms to the Fenland Arts stall by 3.30pm.

Five winners will be chosen at the end of the Fayre, each winning a giftvoucher to spend in local shops sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber of Commerce also holds a window dressing competition tosupport the Fayre. The public can vote on the windows published in theCambs Times.

Interested in joining the Chamber? Visit www.shopsinmarch.co.uk.

March Museum

March Museum will be open between 10.30am and 3.30pm and all the usual historical displays willbe available to view.

Special attractions will be a farrier with his forge givingdemonstrations of horse shoeing in the yard of the museum at11.30am and 2.00pm.

Also, Edna Stacey will be conducting a short walk along the HighStreet to view and discuss the history and developments of thearchitectural features of the area. Participants should assemblejust before 2.30pm in the museum front yard.

Admission to the museum and participation in the special eventsis free, but donations towards the upkeep of the museum will bewelcome.

www.marchmuseum.co.uk

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Craft Fairs at the Fayre!This year there will be two craft fairs managed by the FenCraft Fairs partnership, each of which willbe exhibiting a wide range of Artists’ & Crafters’ skills throughout the day.

St Peter’s Church Hall

A selection of crafts stalls in St Peter’s ChurchHall in the High Street. See the map.

Library Mound

In addition, this year there will be a Craft Fairoutside the library. Why not have a browse inbetween the children’s activities?

Travellers’ Heritage Display

With one of the largest Gypsy Traveller populations in the East of England, we have longrecognised, and sought to promote, the unique cultural heritage of a community that is the singlelargest ethnic minority community in the district, and whose links to the area go back many yearsand many generations.

Come and have a look at the Travellers’ Heritage Display and demonstrations in the FenlandDistrict Council One Stop Shop in Broad Street, open all day.

Activities & Displays

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Broad Street Funfair

This event welcomes back the Broad Street Funfair operated byLesley Carey.

All rides at the St George’s Fayre are still only £1.00.

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Bell Ringing

Ever heard the bells of St. Wendreda's ringingand wanted to know more? Members of the

ringing team will be on hand throughout the dayoutside St. Peter's church to explain the ancientart of campanology. The Ely diocese mobile bell

will also be in attendance for you to tryringing for yourself.

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Community Website is Shaping up for MarchIt’s now really easy to chat online about March, Doddington andWimblington as the award winning community websitewww.shapeyourplace.org continues to go from strength to strength.

The website puts local people in charge, letting them share local news,start debates and have conversations with each other about the localarea.

But here’s the twist. When someone reports an issue, local councils, the police and the fire servicewill respond about how they will try and resolve the problem.

ShapeYourPlace already has a vibrant community, including residents, councillors and localbusinesses sharing news and views.

Its not just about the big debates. You can also make your community groups and activities shineonline by blogging about them directly on the site. You can do this with text, images or video.We’re happy to include all content relating to local community groups, subject to moderation.

We’ve also trained ShapeYourPlace volunteer community reporters who are willing to come alongto any community group to blog about your news and events.

How to blog

It’s really easy to blog on www.shapeyourplace.org. Click your area on the map, then click ‘HaveYour Say’ button on the front page to start a conversation or to promote your community activity.

To join a conversation, just fill in the comment box directly under any debate.

Why not have a go?

For more information, email matthew.hall@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

The Rotary Club of MarchRotary, the world's first service club, was formed in 1905 in Chicago andtoday there are 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide and in the UK, 55,000members in 1,855 clubs. Their motto is ‘Service Above Self’ and thestrong fellowship among Rotarians and meaningful community andinternational service projects characterize Rotary worldwide.

The Rotary Club of March meets at The Conservative Club, everyMonday evening at 7.30pm. The club does support worldwide projects,like ‘End Polio Now’ and the purchase of the famous Rotary ShelterBoxes, which save lives in catastrophic events around the world, but

most of the club’s effort goes into local projects.

These projects include taking under privileged ‘Kids Out’ for the day, taking ‘blind bowlers’ out to atournament, a young chef’s competition and a youth orchestra concert, to raise money for theirinstruments. A variety of fund raising events are undertaken to fund these projects.

Interested in Joining us? Visit www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/homepage.php?ClubID=489

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Future FenlandFour Seasons Events

Chatteris Historic Jubilee Festival

1st - 4th June 2012

and

Whittlesey Festival

Sunday 9th September 2012

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