Trowbridge Country Fair went ahead on Saturday (September 7) despite heavy rain in the days leading up to the event.

But two other events scheduled for the weekend were either postponed or cancelled because of the wet weather.

They were the Skate Jam at Poulton Park in Bradford on Avon to commemorate the first anniversary of the town’s £250,000 skate park.

Organisers of the Wessex Midsummer Vintage Show also posted a message on their website saying the event at Bradford Leigh had been cancelled as the field was water-logged after two days of heavy rain.

The Trowbridge Country Fair in the town park also lost 15 stallholders who pulled out of the event after seeing the weather forecast for Saturday.

Thank goodness it's not raining: Trowbridge Country Fair event coordinator Jo Gray with Jack Twelves and Nicola Gould. Thank goodness it's not raining: Trowbridge Country Fair event coordinator Jo Gray with Jack Twelves and Nicola Gould. (Image: Trevor Porter)

Trowbridge Carnival Committee chair Jo Gray said: “We had quite a few stallholders pull out because the weather forecast made them a little bit nervous but the fair went ahead and was a success.

“Everybody else showed up and the people of Trowbridge did not disappoint and came out to support us. It was brilliant.”

 

 

 

Around 2,500 people attended the event, which is traditionally a fundraiser for the Trowbridge Carnival procession on Saturday, October 19.

“It started off slowly and we thought oh no, but it picked up and between 11am and 1.30pm we had around 1,500 people there,” said Jo.

Time to reflect: Trowbridge Mayor Cllr Stephen Cooper purchases a photo of Fore Street in 1900 from the Group Five stall. Time to reflect: Trowbridge Mayor Cllr Stephen Cooper purchases a photo of Fore Street in 1900 from the Group Five stall. (Image: Trevor Porter)

Trowbridge town crier Trevor Heeks, aged 80, from Staverton, was first appointed at the Country Fair 38 years ago in 1986, so Saturday was a special occasion for him.

“It was a good day. We had good weather. It was not as sunny as we’d hoped but it stayed dry and there was a nice lot of people there,” he said.

The event was kicked off by the White Horse Samba Band from Calne, and there was live music from the Mangled Wurzels and Wade Merritt on the main stage.

The White Horse Samba Band from Calne marches into Trowbridge Town Park as the opening attraction.The White Horse Samba Band from Calne marches into Trowbridge Town Park as the opening attraction. (Image: Trevor Porter)

Other attractions included a tug-of-war competition involving the one team that showed up, and two other teams comprising visitors and stallholders.

Jo added: “I’d like to thank all the volunteers. It is a new committee and was their first event, but they all worked very hard to make it a success.”

The Trowbridge Carnival Committee still needs stewards and bucket collectors for the procession on October 19.

Anyone wishing to help should contact Jo Gray by email at carnivaltrowbridge@gmail.com.