Monday 28th May 2001

            ST EDMUND’S CHURCH TOWER will be open today to give all who climb the steps a superb view across the Fens. “On a clear day your can see forever” so the saying goes. Well, hopefully, here is your chance to prove it. Donations gratefully received.

            FESTIVAL ART EXHIBITION in the Assembly Room, Downham Market Town Hall. This exhibition has over one hundred paintings by members of Downham Art Circle, nearly all of which will be for sale. Admission is free.

            The Collectors World at HERMITAGE HALL is open again today and there is a special offer of 50p discount on the admission price for all who carry a copy of the Festival Programme when they visit. (One discount per programme.) Further details are available in the Collectors World advertisement in this programme.

            Teas will be served at ST DOMINIC’S TEA GARDEN on Howdale Road. There will also be live music to entertain the crowd as they go by or sit for a while with their friends. St Dominic’s Church will be open for anyone who may wish to visit for a quiet prayer, away from the hustle and bustle of life.

            THE 3rd HICKORY DICKORY DASH and FUN RUN organised by Ryston Runners A.C. will start outside the Town Hall and finish on the Howdale.

            The Hickory Dickory Dash is a road race of just over 4 miles consisting of two 2 mile laps. There will be a memento for all finishers as well as prizes in a wide range of categories. These categories will include an award for the first local man and first local woman to finish (PE38 Post Code) and an award for the first three family teams (three members per team with at least one adult and one child per team.

            The Fun Run is over 2 miles and there will be a memento for all finishers. This year there will also be an award for the Fun Runner adjudged to have the best Fancy Dress.

            Entry forms are available from a selection of outlets around Downham Market including: C & J Electrical, High Street; Downham Sports Centre, Bexwell Road; Downham Tourist Information Centre, The Priory Centre; or by post from “Hickory Dickory Dash”, Ferry Farm, Oxborough Ferry Drove, Whittington Hill, Stoke Ferry, Norfolk PE33 9TE. Please include a S.A.E. Entry forms and fees must be received by 24th May 2001. Entry fee for Hickory Dickory Dash will be £4 (£5 unaffiliated) and £2 for The Fun Run.

            The Hickory Dickory Dash is sponsored by C & J Electrical Accessories.

            THE CARNIVAL PARADE begins to assemble at Heygates Mill, near to the Railway Station at 1pm. The Parade will consist of decorated floats, decorated cycles and walking groups. These will all be judged on the route through the Town which passes along Railway Road, Bridge Street, turning left into High Street north at the Town Clock and then right at the traffic lights onto London Road and then left into Howdale Road and so to the Howdale. All participants in the Parade should register with the Parade Marshall, Jenny Groom, by applying for a registration number to 1 Priory Terrace, Downham Market. Any representatives of clubs and societies, organisations, businesses or private individuals are welcome to take part in the Parade. Please contact Jenny for a form.

The Parade will leave Heygates Mill led the Hilgay Silver Band. It will also included the Warwick Girls Marching Band who will be seen in the Main Arena on the Howdale later in the afternoon.

            Joining the Parade from the Town Hall area will be the N. C. Steelers. This Steel Band from Norfolk Constabulary will entertain those waiting in the Town Centre prior to the parade.

CARNIVAL DAY on the Howdale. Downham Market Festival Committee has been working again to prepare for what is possibly one of the largest FREE Carnivals in East Anglia. Special thanks go to British Sugar for their generous sponsorship towards the arena events. There will be many stalls and side-shows to entertain as well as spectacular arena attractions. Representatives of Downham Market and District Chamber of Trade will serve light refreshments in the marquee. Most of the stalls will be operated by local representatives of charitable organisations, promoting their causes and, hopefully, raising funds to help them with their efforts.

            On the plateau to the north-west of the Howdale will be THE X-CEL (107.1 & 107.5) FM ROADSHOW to entertain all with music, fun and games with prizes. 

You may be able to get your favourite tune played during the afternoon. Visit X-Cel FM and find out.

            All the Fun of the Fair is provided by the specially arranged Fairground rides and attractions for the young and not so young – plenty of thrills and squeals!

            Official opening of CARNIVAL 2001. The Mayor and Mayoress of Downham Market, Mike and Janet Coles, will be in the main arena to join in welcoming the newly elected Downham Citizen of the Year who will be presented with the prize and trophy. ChemCure sponsors this competition, arranged through the Norfolk Citizen and Lynn News. Details can be found elsewhere in this Programme. Following this presentation the Downham Citizen of the Year will declare the Carnival Day open and join with the Mayor, Mayoress, Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress in presenting the trophies for the Bessed Dressed Floats, Decorated Cycles and Walking Groups in the Parade.

            The following arena attraction times are approximate.

            Strengthologists TONY BRUTUS and AMANDA come to the Main Arena. This Comedy Strength Speciality Act features not only Tony whose power and strength are renowned throughout the world of show business but his beautiful daughter, Amanda, as well. Amanda is probably the strongest pound for pound female strengthologist in the world today. This is a rare and unique act involving a considerable amount of audience participation. Most of the stunts performed by this father and daughter duo are unique to themselves.

The WARWICK GIRLS MARCHING BAND brings a great splash of colour and live music to the Main Arena. You will have seen this Band marching through the streets of Downham Market earlier this afternoon and now they give one of their stylish displays within the confines of the arena. The variety of instruments and talents are there to be marvelled at.

            A return to the arena for TONY BRUTUS and AMANDA to give another display of the unusual talents of this father and daughter duo of strengthologists from Liverpool.

            For those who watched the Carnival Parade from the Town Centre the music of the N. C. STEELERS will have already been experienced. This group of musical enthusiasts from Norfolk Constabulary has been entertaining throughout the County and beyond for a few years now and their high-class reputation precedes them.

            THE ESSEX DOG DISPLAY TEAM is Europe’s Premier Dog Display Team. They have appeared on numerous television shows both in the UK and abroad, including four times on Bruce Forsyth’s Generation Game. For a number of years they have been the Main Ring and Special Events Ring features at Cruft’s. They have been to events organised by Ministry of Defence and Police Forces where animal welfare has been of the highest importance. Today they appear in the Main Arena at Downham Market Festival proving once again that Downham’s Festival is up there with the best.

* * * * * * * * *

            FESTIVAL BOWLS DRIVE at Downham Market Conservative Bowls Green. Entry to this event is open to all comers with a prompts start to maximise the light available. Make sure that you have paid your entry fee in good time and registered with the organisers.

            FAMILY BARN DANCE in the Town Hall arranged by Downham Market Christian Fellowship. To some this will be a new form of entertainment, to others a memory of years gone by. To all it promises an evening of family fun and togetherness. If you know the dances – help the others. If you are a beginner then be assured you will not be alone. Tickets priced £3 (children £1.50) are available from the Christian Fellowship Church in High Street, at the door, or from Alan Molineaux (01366 384474 or 386265).