Mayfair

As well as the fabulous 2024 May Queen with her entourage and their families, we welcomed another special guest at the Mayfair lunch this year.

Our guest, Mrs Pat Martin made the outfits for the May Queen and her entourage from 1969 until 1992. Yesterday there was a small selection of these outfits on display, and a handful of the people who loaned us their historic costumes came together for a photograph with Mrs. Martin.

Thankyou to everyone who helped to make it a special day for Mrs. Martin, people were so happy to share their outfits and their Mayfair stories.

Many visiting dignitaries and invited guests attended the Proclamation of the Fair at the Town Hall on May Fair Day which this year fell on Thursday 2nd May.

During the Proclamation a number of guests made speeches about celebrating Great Torrington and it’s Fair and to thank our visitors for joining us on this special day.

Fairings were also offered during the speeches which represent titbits originally offered to entice people at the Fair, this year these were in the form of handmade shortbread biscuits.

Thank you to everyone who took part in the Mayfair Window Dressing competition – a fantastic effort from everyone .

Congratulations to Lilian Rose Interiors who won first place, Dartington Crystal in second place, Whiskers Pet Centre in third place and Knit & Knatter were highly commended. We hope you enjoy the selection of entries here

The selection of this years May Queen and Entourage has recently taken place, a couple of weeks before the announcement is made, children put themselves forward for the various roles.  Year 6 girls who wished to be considered for May Queen or Crowner, and Year 6 boys who wished to be considered for May Prince or Herald, each wrote a personal statement for consideration by their peers.  A voting process, which is done anonymously, was then carried out and on Wednesday 8th February the Mayor, Cllr Doug Smith attended Great Torrington Bluecoat C of E Primary School to verify the winners and to draw the names of the Attendants.

This years May Queen & Entourage are:

May Queen: Effie Hill

Crowner: Mickayla Roberts

Heralds: Rupert Thorne & Tyler Batty

May Prince (Standard Bearer): Alfie Rollins

Attendants:  Ruby Bristow & Rita Coysh, Honey Little & Tula Parkhouse, Ezri Bott & Ariyah-Jane Dodge, Millie Barrow & Sophie Pett.

Congratulations to them all!!