OLD DALBY DAY 2007 - Chairman's Report

Unlike last year, we had little reason to be concerned about the weather, and indeed we were treated to fine weather all day. And a very good day it was.
The members of the Old Dalby Day main committee and all the other volunteers who also gave their time and help in arranging the day, once again did a marvellous job, and deserve unstinted praise. Special thanks are due to Di Orson, a village resident for some 30 years, who was kind enough to open the proceedings with a fine and well judged speech emphasising the reasons that Old Dalby Day exists and the strength of community in our village.
The varied programme of events on The Green, organized by Zena Stansbie and Sarah Hendey, provided excellent entertainment throughout the day including, as the first event, the children's fancy dress competition. This year there were around ten entries, all excellent, and all judged by Di Orson. Thanks are due to Isobel Somerville for her essential help here.
The school site also attracted many visitors keen to see the remarkable display of classic and vintage vehicles organised by John and Mary Finch. This year the show had more than 150 entries, making it one of the largest in the county. The school site barbecue, c/o Tony Fisher and his team, was again highly successful. The horticultural show, run once again by Pat Page, took place as usual inside the school itself. This year, for the second time, it was in the improved surroundings of the school hall and attracted the usual large range of high quality entries in the various flower, fruit and veg, home produce, fun, and children's sections, with rosettes and trophies for the winners. Thanks also to all of those individuals and organisations that donated the prizes. Outside the school, the Youth Club ran the ice-cream and refreshment stall, and a Penalty Shoot-Out which were both very popular. A fascinating fairground organ was also sited at the school.
Craft-fair stalls were sited outside again this year rather than inside the school. In the street market the stalls filled all the available pitches with even a few extra stalls on residents' drives. This year the only beer outlet was also sited at the school, freeing up additional stall pitches on the green.
The children's activities in the play park were organised by Isobel Somerville and helpers, and were as popular as ever. Children also enjoyed themselves on The Green towards the end of the day, with races, barrel rolling, and four-man-ski.
In the evening, the usual barbecue took place at the Village Hall and provided a relaxing end to the day. There was also the added attraction of musical entertainment provided by Mike Hendey and friend, and the auction of horticultural show entries, carried out in David Ayres' inimitable style.
Finally, my thanks are also due to all those people involved in the event, our sponsors and the other trustees of The Old Dalby Day Charity: David Ayres, John Lincoln, Barry Pratt, and Mike Kemm, for their continued support, wisdom, and vital knowledge and experience.

Old Dalby Day is a genuine community event...We can all be very proud of it.

Phil Page

For general information on ODD 2007, e-mail BarryCPratt@aol.com

For information on street market stalls, e-mail Sue Ayres, david.ayres@tinyworld.co.uk