A PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE
The Annual Lancaster Georgian Festival Fair

Castle Park, Lancaster,
Bank Holiday Monday 25 August 2003,
11am - 8.30pm.

Reviewed by Michael Nunn

"Whereby will be celebrated all the sights, sounds, shows, trials, tribulations and characters of a provincial fair and market set in the year 1809, and to which all TOWNSFOLK and VISITORS are invited without charge"

Set against a background of the Napoleonic War with the French at the time, the Fair offered much to catch the eye, the ears and the purse: hand-made brooms and baskets, haberdashery, pewter and pottery, sausages and swing boats. There was also a range of theatrical diversions, including side shows and freak shows, period theatre and Punch and Judy, 'bop-a-wop' puppets and juggling. This diversity reminds us that theatre is not just something you go to at The Dukes or the (Georgian) Grand Theatre.

Visually there were appropriate period costumes aplenty, which added to the colour of what was a disappointingly overcast day for the most part. Undeterred, goodly numbers turned out, young and old from near and far. The Fair's fine setting, on the green 'twixt Castle and Priory Church is well suited the overall theme, as presumably the location has been used in times past for such celebrations. I hope the Priory Church's lunatic car park plan will not jeopardise future Georgian Fairs.

One slow wander round all the sundry attractions was not enough - you thought you'd done and suddenly something else was happening. The shopping included local (huzzah!) fruit and vegetables, the traditional Heysham Nettle Beer and other such refreshments (we liked the Elderflower Cordial) from Walmsley's Tavern of Abstinence, local cakes and breads, and a very busy Radcliffe's Sausage Table, its perpetual queues a reminder that fast food retail is nothing new.

Later we lined up for the 33rd Regiment of Foot's colourful display of Georgian square-bashing, another attraction which particularly held the attention of the young. Then it was over to the unlikely race meet of the day - Sedan chairs. This was good, novel fun, and should be indulged more often and further afield, like Donkey Derbies and dwarf-tossing. A team from HMP Lancaster Castle won the event after a narrow and exciting final.

The day's proceedings duly drew to a dignified close with the lighting of the Beacon "in defiance of the continued threat to freedom by the Corsican Usurper Bonaparte", outside the Priory Church. This was an awe-inspiring sight against a now-darkening sky, and was a fitting and dramatic end to a varied and enjoyable day. But …

"Please Note that the consumption of alcohol will not be permitted on the Fair site"
Why the City Council's alcohol ban on the day? It was quite out of keeping with the spirit of the occasion and the ways of the times. The Council could have made serious money out of this and made many punters happy - literally. A children-friendly beer tent, with further loo provision, would have been a welcome addition to the atmosphere.

"A Remarkable and Superior event"
Nevertheless, Lancaster City Council has, along with the equally quirky Maritime Festival around Easter, provided residents and visitors alike with opportunities of fun for all and for exploring and reliving the City's rich historical legacy. We live in a very special and distinctive place, and we must never forget that, take it for granted, or cease to celebrate it.

Copyright © Michael Nunn 11 September 2003