Wendover Celebrates 2014 Medieval Style

Once again Wendover was blessed with good weather for Wendover Celebrates on Sunday 25 May. This time it was Medieval Style.

For more details of setting up, photos and videos, click here.

The Parade made its way from Wendover Campus along South Street, down the High Street left into Aylesbury Road, right into Wharf Road and then onto the Colet Field. Dave Walls led the Parade dressed as an English Knight. John Hampden Infant School entered over 100 pupils dressed as the knight designed by Charlie Jaggers, winner of the logo competition. Wendover Evening WI became Wendover Wenches Incorporated using a theme based on Robina Hood, say no more. Wendover Junior CofE school provided a mixture of princesses, dragons and jesters. Wendover News offered three hard working medieval women, complete with veils, a wooden banner and a “Hear ye . . .” cry. Wendover Girl Guiding followed on with impeccably behaved and medievally dressed young ladies. Churches Together in Wendover was represented by monks and lay people alike. There the medieval theme ended as Jazzercise followed a car with modern music and lively dancing and PACE brought up the rear with two vintage vehicles. St John Ambulance had a responder vehicle and Wendover Parish Council showed off its new Alligator as described in Matters Arising, June 2014. Congratulations to John Hampden School and Wendover Junior School who were the joint Best Dressed Float winners.

For more details of the parade, photos and videos, click here.

The atmosphere on the Carnival field was set by the Medieval Village and their combat team as well as the Birds of Prey and Archery Demonstrations. The inflatables had a medieval flavour and there was a pillory in the PACE stall and the stocks and pillory provided by Wendover Parish Council, now available to Wendover organisations. It’s a Medieval Knockout featured a team in knightly costumes as well as one in 21st century Lycra and the winners were Wendover Cricket Club.

For more details of attractions, photos and videos, click here.

The Mid-Bucks Beekeepers must be commended for their effort in costumes and artefacts relating to honey over the centuries. Similarly, Blacksmith Munro showed how her craft has developed in more recent times. The children’s tent provided a medieval storyteller complete with artefacts after the circus workshop and disco. There were plenty of stalls representing many local businesses, organisations and charities. Local catering establishments also provided a wide variety of food and drink. Once again, the ever popular Kings Farm Shop Hog Roast ran out fairly early on in the afternoon but all the other food outlets kept going strong.

For more details of stalls, photos and videos, click here.

Although the weather was cold, it remained fine into the evening and everyone enjoyed the brilliant concert. Each act was worthy in itself and led up to a fantastic finale with X-Factor star Andy Abraham topping the bill.

For more details of the evening concert, photos and videos, click here.

At the end of the afternoon the field looked lovely but unfortunately people didn’t take their rubbish home with them, so committee members had to clear up broken glass in the dark and the next day a few stalwart volunteers had a lot of litter picking to do.

For more details of the clearing up process, photos and videos, click here.

Wendover Celebrates would like to thank once again all the generous local businesses which donated raffle prizes. Special thanks to Peach Lane Studios who sold evening tickets, as well as to Agora and Simon Carter who sold raffle tickets and brochures from their premises. The raffle was drawn in the Red Lion at 12.30pm on Wednesday 28 May by the Manager Martin Howard and Wendover’s favourite barmaid, Dolly, who happened to be on duty that day. All raffle prize winners were notified by telephone and all the prizes have now been collected.

For more details of the raffle draw, photos, click here.

Special thanks must go to all the volunteers who helped make this event possible. Wendover Celebrates 2014 had 4 directors, featured on page 27 in the May edition of Wendover News. They headed a Committee with another 7 members. On the day another 29 volunteers helped with marshalling, serving and a myriad of other tasks. As well as volunteers from Wendover, PACE provided people, including Rotarians, to help on the day. Many volunteers assisted with the running of the barbecue and hog roast; Round Table looked after the beer tent and the MS Centre were in the tea tent all afternoon. Thanks to Wendover Football Club for use of their facilities.

The event generated enough money to cover the considerable costs involved in organising the day, with enough left to meet our company commitments for the next 2 years and to allow Wendover Celebrates to begin to plan another event. Future events are also dependent on more people stepping forward to help out from the start. If Wendover Celebrates is to happen again at least this number of people will be needed. Some must retire this year so new volunteers are very welcome. The complete spectrum of skills is required—including general and specific IT and organisational skills to publicity and marshalling. Please go to the websiteor emailto put your name forward NOW.

Photos and videos of Wendover Celebrates have been uploaded to Wendover News Facebook and Twitter. See also Wendover Celebrates Medieval Style Facebook. Thanks to everyone who contributed.