King’s Teignton’s…


THE Ram Roasting Fair held on Spring Bank Holiday Monday at the end of May, is a traditional event dating back to the Middle Ages, which attracts thousands of visitors every year from Kingsteignton and beyond. The history of this event was that many, many years ago there was a drought in Kingsteignton, meaning that the villagers had no drinking water from the stream, neither was there enough to baptise a child. With a child needing baptism, the villagers made their way down to the stream where the bed lay dry and they sacrificed a ram.


Miraculously water sprang up at the spot, the baby was baptised and the supply of water restored. Tradi- tionally a ram was roasted on an open fire thereafter, however, for the first time ever in 2019, the ram was cooked over a gas burner for health and hygiene reasons, although many would still like it to have been cooked using the traditional method but we have to accept that times change! The official opening commenced with a cry from


our Town Crier, Mrs Jackie Edwards accompanied by her Consort, Mr John Hart, together with our former Mayor, Cllr Ron Peart and Mayoress Mrs June Peart. The May Queen, crowned at the Fair, is accompa- nied by her two assistants who lead the procession of dancers across the lawn prior to the dancing. Always a proud moment for parents and a delight to all who watch, is to see the spectacular formations of ribbons created by the Maypole Dancers, as they dance around the Maypole.


Following which the judging of the best decorated poles (created by the children), takes place and was this year undertaken by former Chairman Mr John Stacey and Secretary Mrs Loraine Stacey who stepped down from the committee in 2017 after running the event for 17 years with the former committee. Entertainment provided throughout the


afternoon


varied between stilt walkers, donkey rides, Punch and Judy shows, birds of prey, magic shows, circus skills workshops, fun dog show, the Newton Bushell Morris


14 KINGSTEIGNTON TOWN GUIDE


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36