Category Archives: event

British Legion Day, Stockton, June 2011

90th Anniversary Celebration

Crowd waiting for Punch and Judy Show

The British Legion Stockton-Yarm District 90th anniversay celebrations took place in Ropner Park, Hartburn Lane, Stockton on Tees on Sunday 12th June. The event was very well attended by the general public. The Mayor of Stockton was in attendance as were many other councillors and VIP guests. The event was organised by Stockton Council Events Team.

Proud History

The Stockton on Tees Branch was formed in 1921 and was one of the first to take up the mantel of welfare service and have been helping ex-service men and women and their families ever since.

Event Entertainment

There was entertainment throughout the day including military parades, a Drumhead service, live music in the bandstand, historical vehicles, craft activities, falconry display, Punch and Judy British Legion Bikers, inflatables and kiddies rides.

Fortunately the weather was fair until 3pm when the rain came and many people left for home. The event had however been a great success.

Work begins on £20m Stockton town revamp (bbc.co.uk)

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Beamish Museum, Georgian Fair 2011

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Life in Georgian England

Georgian Punch and Judy Show

The Georgian Fair took place at the Pockerley Waggonway, Beamish, over four days from the 2nd to the 4th June. Thousands of people came every day to enjoy a taste of life in Georgian England. The event was so popular that the gates were opened thirty minutes early because of the amount of people waiting to come into the museum. One family travelled from Bolton in Lancashire on the bus, a journey which took three and a half hours each way.

Authentic displays

The organisers took great care to ensure that everything at the fair was as authentic as possible. There was all the hustle and bustle that you would expect and visitors could see labourers working in the fields, traditional craftsmen at work, trinket sellers and entertainers performing various shows throughout the day.

Event Entertainment

The fair was officially opened at 11am each day by Squire Pockerley who invited everyone to have a good time but added a warning that drunks, thieves, pickpockets and the like would be severely dealt with. Also that no trading was allowed outside of the boundaries of Pockerely. There were live performances by Random Mike the Fire Juggler, Svenson’s “Circus Minimus” Flea Circus, clog dancers, a Northumbrian Piper and Punch and Judy.

Side Shows and Demonstrations

There as something for everyone including Swing Boat rides, Coconut Shy, traditional games and costume try on. There were demonstrations of pole lathing, traditional woodcraft, cleft ash gate making and basket weaving. You could try your hand at making a lavender bag or sample gingerbread if you were feeling a little peckish.

Market Stalls

Fresh produce was for sale at very reasonable prices including bedding plants, perennials and herbs, fresh bread in all shapes, sizes and flavours, corn dollies, Beamish wine and hand made greetings cards.

The Georgian Fair continues to go from strength to strength. I am certainly looking forward to next year and hoping I will be invite to participate with my Punch and Judy show again.

Future Events at Beamish 2011

Power from the Past is from 1st to 4th September.

Beamish Agricultural Show is from 15th to 18th September.

Some days I need a TARDIS! (careeringaheadncl.wordpress.com)

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Morley RUFC Royal Wedding Event

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What a fantastic afternoon of fun and entertainment Morley RUFC put on for the local community.

When I arrived at 11am to set up my Punch and Judy Show there was hardly anyone around. The event didn’t open until 12 noon and most people were probably at home watching the Royal Wedding on television. The fairground stalls, rides, bouncy castles and food stalls were all set up and ready.

There was no need to worry. Shortly after twelve ‘o’ clock the public started to arrive in droves. Very soon the grounds of Morley RUFC were packed with families and friends all out to have a great time. There were Union Jack flags and bunting everywhere with a DJ playing music to add to the party atmosphere.

I did two shows and had a brilliant audience both times. There was also a magician, clown and face painters providing entertainment too.

Well done to Wayne Dickinson and the committee at Morley RUFC for organising such a great event.

A Brief History of Royal Weddings (freetech4teachers.com)
The Royal Wedding (jbaynews.com)
Royal Wedding Fever Sweeps The Nation (lezgetreal.com)

Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt 2011 | Chocolate Easter Eggs

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Image via Wikipedia

Looking for something to do over Easter? How about taking the kids on an Easter egg hunt?

For the fourth year running, The National Trust and the National Trust for Scotland supported by Cadbury, have opened the National Trust properties to hold the Easter Egg Trails and other fun Easter activities over the long weekend.

The Easter Egg Hunts are held all over the UK, find your local trail, and each venue has different events, including face painting, egg rolling and Easter egg decorating, all depending on where you go.

Every child, and it is just the kids!

via Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt 2011 | Chocolate Easter Eggs.

There is FREE face painting too at many of the venues.

The Real Easter Egg (breathenetwork.org)

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How Long Will New Play Park Last?

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A fantastic new play park was opened today in Seaham. Hundreds of school children together with crowds of local people turned out for the opening ceremony. At 2.30pm there was a ribbon cutting ceremony in which the mayor of Seaham and a couple of Sunderland footballers officially opened the amazing adventure play area. The event was a great success with music and entertainment adding to the atmosphere of excitement. Unfortunately it seems that vandals have already been targeting the brand new equipment which has been provided for the enjoyment of children and families. Several mums living in the neighbourhood said that they were worried that the council would not be able to keep paying for repairs. There concern is that the trouble makers might be allowed to spoil things for all the decent people in Seaham who do care about the environment and appreciate the provision of public amenities.

: The Mayor of Seaham and Sunderland footballers cutting the ribbon

: Fantastic facilities

: Crowds watching the opening ceremony of Seaham play park.

Bill Tarmey And Me

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Coronation Street fans know instantly who Bill Tarmey is. I regret to admit that until I met Patricia Penrose I had no idea. I was the front man at a store opening where Patricia was booked as the celebrity to cut the ribbon and officially open the store, then sign autographs and chat with the shoppers. Patricia plays the character of Gina in the TV series Heartbeat. She is lovely person, very friendly and easy to get on with. My job was to build up the atmosphere and let people know what was going on as well as running various in store competitions.

The store was very busy and Patricia Penrose was very popular. She had brought a pile of postcard size photos of herself which she was signing and giving away. She told me that she ran out of these after about an hour ( and she had brought loads with her! ). Whilst we were chatting she said that she thought I sounded just like Bill Tarmey. Several people agreed so it must be true? I’d like to think that this was a compliment but as I don’t watch Corrie I can’t be sure.

We had a great day. The new store was very busy in spite of the bad weather. The client was very happy and I’m just waiting to see if I could be the next Jack Duckworth.

Ron with Patricia Penrose

If you were Ron Wood of Jolly Good Productions ( that’s me ), would you consider it a compliment to be told that you sound like Bill Tarmey? Let me know what you think.

Jack Duckworth waltzes out of Coronation Street (guardian.co.uk)
Jack’s Corrie finale seen by 11m (bbc.co.uk)
Tribute to Coronation Street’s Jack Duckworth (telegraph.co.uk)

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The Secret Millionaire

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Unfortunately its not me! However Daniella and I did meet this gentleman who starred in one episode of ‘The Secret Millionaire’ I have been told it’s a brilliant programme though I’ve never watched it myself. This photo was taken at the Redcar Christmas Light Switch On. Town Centre Management had organised a room at the Clarendon Hotel for artists to use for changing and to take breaks etc. We met him there. He was the celebrity who had been booked to turn on the lights. A very nice man.

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Redcar Christmas Light Switch On 2010

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The Redcar Christmas Light Switch On was brilliant in spite of the horrible weather. There was a lovely atmosphere on the High Street and even though it was cold and wet there were still plenty of smiling faces.The Jolly Good Productions Christmas Characters mingled with the crowds and brought smiles to the faces of the children and juggler Tom Rolfe mesmerized everyone with his fantastic juggling, unicycling and balloon modeling. Masses of people turned out to watch the parade completely undaunted by the rain which was falling steadily by 4.30pm.The lights were turned on at five o clock by The Secret Millionaire. What a great start to the festive season for the people of Redcar.
Below is Alf The Elf ( the tallest elf you’ve ever seen ) who helped to entertain the public during the build up to the light switch on. Apparently Santa had sent Alf to Redcar to find out who had been naughty and who had been nice. Alf spoke to lots of children to see if they have been good. Fortunately he was able to report back to Santa that there are no naughty ones in Redcar.

Alf The Elf, a Christmas Character ( stilt walker ) by Jolly Good Productions

Alf The Elf ( Jolly Good Productions )

Were you at the Redcar Christmas Light Switch On? Did you enjoy it? Please share your thoughts with us.

Bringing Some Creativity to the Common Light Switch(oddmods.com)
Virtual reality high street(thesun.co.uk)

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Wensleydale Show 2010

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The weather was fairly kind at the Wensleydale Show this year. A bit breezy but sunny and warm. There was one terrific down pour of rain at about 2.30pm but it soon cleared up and the sun came out again. I always enjoy this event as there is so much to see, especially if you are interested in country life. There are displays in the main arena throughout the day and the commentator is very knowledgeable about farming and the countryside which makes everything so much more interesting. There are loads of traders selling all kinds of goods, a fantastic craft marquee, the Leyburn Brass Band, fairground rides and bouncy castles for the kids, farm animals, vintage cars and machinery, beagles, hounds, horses, falconry and lots of food and refreshments. Definitely a great day out for the whole family.

The show takes place on a field just outside of Leyburn on the way in from Bellerby at the side of the A6108. I always like the view as approaching Leyburn from the Richmond side.

Wensleydale Show 2010, view from Bellerby side

Wensleydale Show in the distance.

I was at the show performing Punch and Judy as I have for quite a few years.

Last year was very difficult as I was sited on a very exposed piece of high ground and the winds were extremely strong. I was quite literally hanging on to the puppet theatre during the last show to stop it blowing away even though I was well and truly anchored down. The organisers used to have a marquee for the children’s entertainment but decided on grounds of cost to dispense with this which is a shame because it is always better to be under cover.

I had three brilliant audiences this year. Lots of children and families all gathering round and joining in with gusto to the antics of old red nose. Some nice compliments too. Not so many people turned up for the last show as the rain had dispersed the crowds by then. Still, those who did come seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Behind the scenes at the Wensleydale Show

Behind the scenes of the Punch and Judy Show

There is a huge amount of work required to organise and run an event of this kind. I hope the Wensleydale Show continues to be supported by the general public as it is such a fantastic day out.

Put it in your diary for Bank Holiday Weekend, August 2011. It’s going to be another good one!

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West Witton Gala | Wensleydale

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The sun shone over Wensleydale on Sunday 22nd August. It was a bit breezy but very warm. A perfect day for the annual West Witton Gala. The gala field is on high ground adjacent to the main road and has perfect views down the dale to Leyburn and beyond. It’s a wonderful community event with a BBQ, cakes and refreshments plus a variety of entertainment throughout the afternoon. There were children’s races, a dog show, falconry displays, side stalls, bouncy castles and of course Jolly Good Productions Punch and Judy and Face Painting.

In addition to the regulars from West witton there were quite a few visitors enjoying the atmosphere and joining in with the fun.

It’s definitely making a note in your diary for next year!