Good afternoon, folks!
To town this morning as it's a day of various Fetes and Frivolities. Started at the local library, where the activities were mainly for children but there were three interesting exhibitions - a stand from the local environmentalists who are watching the water quality on the local rivers (upstream from us, an old factory has recently been demolished for housing development and there was a leakage of fuel oil into the river, which thankfully was stamped on pretty quickly).
Then there was a video display by Somerset Illuminated Carnivals. Those who know the West Country will know of this tradition; the biggest autumn carnival float procession on the circuit is usually at Bridgwater and has in the past attracted tens of thousands of spectators. The tradition apparently can be traced right back to the 1605 Gunpowder Plot and the subsequent decree that the saving of the Houses of Parliament should be celebrated, by law, by an annual bonfire in every town; the first major Somerset carnival procession allied to the event was in the 1880's. But carnival is now in decline - insurance, health and safety, and the sheer manpower needed to build and tour the floats.
Finally, the local Waitrose drinks expert had a wine-tasting stand. We chatted about English wines and he said yes, they're steadily improving year on year, and white / sparkling wines are the best local fayre. In fact Waitrose has recently started growing grape vines locally on some of their sponsored farms.
Then to the Church Fete, where amongst other things, you could pay to have your teddy bear parachuted off the top of the church tower.
Managed to win two prizes on my five tombola tickets, a bottle of Shiraz and a travel wash-bag gift pack! By that time, a sharp shower had set in, so repaired to the church hall for a welcome cuppa and cake.
Now back home recovering ...