May Day! May Day! Money…
To The Greyhound! … at the rather somber time of *ahem* slightly after midday on Saturday afternoon [just] for the morning / afternoon after the night before. No Dirty Stop Out accusations over here please - this was the very worthy cause of the Wivenhoe May Fair Fundraiser, ahead of the big day out at the KGV on 26 May.
All of those portaloos don’t pay for themselves, dontachaknow.
Dosh is needed up front, and preferably RIGHT NOW. It takes a brave man / blogger to dismiss a bucket being shaken by a lovely little ankle biter of Wivenhoe, very politely asking for something ever so slightly more generous than your loose change.
Saturday afternoon in the beer garden at The Greyhound was quite wonderful. This was the true spirit of May Fair, with the local community coming out to celebrate this rather unique and quite bonkers festival that has grown up on the KGV over the past thirty years.
The link with the past [aha!] was complete with Mr Mule very kindly giving up the increasing demands on his time to put in a solo set. With a Radio Wivenhoe breakfast show, and a Hurricane gig later in the evening, there was something of a Phil Collins [steady] about the Pop Genius, doing his Live Aid London to Philly global dash.
The late luncheon crowd was rewarded with some rare early Cleaners tunes, as well as a bit of Beatles added to the end of the set. Stirring stuff, and a definite scene setter for what was to come.
These May Fair fundraisers are something of the inverse of the Glasto village fetes that traditionally take place post the Worthy Farm festival. That nice Mr Eavis puts on a bit of a song and a dance in a marquee for the locals, as a thank you for the tolerance of the festival that has just passed.
The May Fair fundraiser had a similar community ethos, not just saying thank you for what is to come, but also encouraging the community to come out to play, and to celebrate what is to come in the town over the coming weeks.
Talent was flushed out of bedroom hibernation on Saturday afternoon, both on stage, and in the Greyhound marquee.
Blimey.
The reward for the dedication to keeping live music al fresco in Wivenhoe was a glorious sunny afternoon - which is something that we haven’t been able to say for some time. More of the same please Mr Weatherman, particularly for 26th May…
The bar bolted on to the marquee made it just too easy. Thank the chuffers that the ankle biter bucket shakers managed to offload some of the loose change, before the charming barmaids managed to pocket those excess pound coins.
The music continued with a bluesy feel for the rest of the afternoon. Jay and Fiona’s stunning duet showcased a Wivenhoe talent that could hold its own on any major festival stage. A back garden performance in The Greyhound was a rare treat into the talent that the town is able to boast.
The Pulp cover come the end of the afternoon was *shhh* a Bowie for May Fair rumour waiting NOT to happen. Oh no, not here, Sireee, thank you very much.
And so shortly after 6pm, the Wivenhoe May Fair Fundraiser packed up PA’s as advertised, and then counted the coins and pondered the huge task of what is to come as the merry month of May unfolds.
Staging the May Fair is not a part-time hobby - the planning has been quite intense ever since the PA was packed away back in 2011. Saturday [oh yes] 26th May is the date for 2012. Much bucket shaking, and indeed shakers of buckets are needed to be found ahead of this date. Volunteers would be most welcome.
Saturday afternoon saw a true community spirit in helping to support the final push that is about to take place. 2012 and the 30th anniversary of Wivenhoe May Fair should succeed in its aims, if the feel of the May Fundraiser can be replicated on the KGV.
Many thanks to The Greyhound staff for being such fine hosts.
Chin chin.
Full flick feed.
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