Clouds blow away for bumper fun day

Jun 10 2009 By Barry Dix

Mr Topples

SOMEONE up there is smiling on the Ashford on the Map organisers.

When the skies darkened, the rain lashed down and thunder rumbled on Sunday morning, it seemed that their much-anticipated summer fun day was doomed to be a wash-out.

But by mid-morning the storm had passed, the sun was out and the weather was set fair, as it had been for all three of the previous fun days.

Ashford on the Map stalwart Barry Muggeridge was on site at 3.30am to begin getting everything prepared on the sports field at the Brooklands College campus in Church Road.

“It looked very grim as the day dawned,” he said. “I really thought we were going to lose everything to the weather.”

But, a couple of light showers apart, the event was blessed with a fine afternoon.

It was the biggest fun day so far, with virtually every one of Ashford’s social and voluntary groups, from churches and women’s clubs to scouts, guides and voluntary bodies taking part, with all manner of colourful stalls and sideshows.

Ashford Horticultural Society’s plant tombola was a big draw, with winners walking off with planted tubs and troughs, while the town’s Women’s Institute stand attracted visitors eager to snap up a range of homemade goodies.

“The fun day just keeps on growing,” said Mr Muggeridge. “Last year we had 73 pitches and this year we took bookings for 102. It’s very rewarding to get such a response.”

To make sure everyone had time to see everything, the fun day began an hour earlier than usual, at 11am. There was plenty of entertainment to keep everyone happy, with displays including energetic performances from the Burges Dance Group and martial arts from Ashford Aikido Club.

Live music of all sorts rang out all afternoon, while Mr Topples and his Punch and Judy show raised noise levels further.

Ponies plodded patiently, giving many youngsters a first experience of riding. Swingboats provided a sight which wouldn’t have looked out of place 100 years ago, when Ashford folk held an annual show at almost the same spot.