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Barrow load of fun
From the Gazette & Herald, first published Thursday 2nd Sep 2004.
GAZETTE & HERALD: Families enjoyed Monday's traditional country fair at Lacock, with attractions such as tug of war, mini Olympics, face painting and a wheelbarrow race.
The fair, which has been an annual event since the 1500s, raised money for the church, the school and Lacock village hall.
It was the first time Lacock had held a wheelbarrow race, inspired by the infamous event at Pewsey.
Race organiser, Richard Searight said: "I think we've started a tradition. It exceeded every expectation."
Sponsorship money is still coming in, but barrow racers raised well over £300.
"I was enormously impressed with the support from the whole village," Mr Searight said.
"The George pub turned out to cheer everyone on and they provided beer outside their pub."
The race, which began in the recreation field, took entrants on a wet route, through the ford and past four pubs where they had to drink a pint of beer.
The Pewsey Team scooped £75 for winning the race. They got round all four pubs in less than 15 minutes and Mr Searight said they were real pros.
The Rising Sun team raised £310, winning the £25 prize for the most sponsorship made, and all girl team from King John's Hunting Lodge tea room at Lacock won the most beautiful barrow reward.
Although their wheelbarrow was plain the girls donned traditional
tearoom uniforms, together with a pair of trainers for the race.
"Travis Perkins were the sponsors of the wheelbarrow race and they
provided the prize money and covered our expenses," Mr Searight said.
"So a big thank you to them
because it meant the entrance money for the race and sponsorship went straight to the charities because we didn't have any expenses to cover.
"Tony Kimber, who has been organising the Pewsey wheelbarrow race for 24 years, was the inspiration for this year's event," Mr Searight said.
"The whole thing ran really very professionally because we used his rules."
Mr Searight added: "Special thanks to Sue Kneebone, who did all the real work. She did all the behind the scenes work that is crucial."
Main organiser of the day, Lin Culling was equally impressed with the way the day turned out.
"It was a hugely successful day," she said. "The village was packed out and it was really jolly.
"The wheelbarrow race was brilliant, we were a bit worried because it was the first one, but everyone got through it. It was a real spectacle seeing them go through the ford, and a real crowd puller.
"It will be an annual event now."
Organisers are still counting the funds from the day, but are aiming for £4,500, which will be split evenly between the three charities.
The Mothers' Union raised £900, from one stall.
"The tug of war was hilariously funny," Ms Culling said. "And the children enjoyed the mini Olympics.
"It was a real village, community event. We finished off with a free barbecue and drinks for the villagers and it was really nice to see them still all in the pub at 10pm."
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