Saturday 5 September 2009

Kelso: Town Fair 5 Sep 2009

Today, Saturday 5th September 2009, we drove to the nearby town of Kelso to do a spot of basic shopping. Forgot that the annual St. James'Fair weekend was on. Parking is restricted in Kelso this weekend but we were lucky to find a parking space at about midday, quite close to the town square. The St. Martin's Fair weekend is usually very busy and well attended, with all kinds of things on offer. Last year there were dozens of stalls with plenty of speciality foods and continental traders. Today, probably because of the heavy rains we have been having this week, there were none. A few hardy souls had risked the rain staying away today, which it did. Stayed for a short while and took a few snap videos and then drove back to Mellerstain. I've no idea what the programme is for tomorrow, Sunday, but somehow I doubt it will be very much at all. August and so far this September, the weather has been wet and windy.

PS. Just added a short clip of some younger Scottish dancers entertaining their mums, dads and everybody else with their energetic dancing. One girl has a little difficulty with the routine but she's anxious to do her best!

15 comments:

The Bug said...

Loved the dancing! We might go to a period festival tomorrow. I think it's 18th century. We'll see - if we do I'll be sure to post pictures. We're having hot dry weather here right now, so it should be well-attended.

A human kind of human said...

I understand from my other friends in England that it has been an exceptionally wet summer. Nevertheless, I would brave all the "wet" if I could only attend a "fair" in an English square.

lovelyprism said...

That looks like great fun! I loved the music and the dancing.

PhilipH said...

The two girls were dancing a traditional Scottish army recruiting dance, or so the young lady who introduced it said. A few years ago there was a marvellous display of sword dancing by some very fit and highly skilled young lady dancers.

Kelso still has old cobbled roads and they danced on this surface with ease. Most impressive.

Land of shimp said...

Philip, look at you editing the clips together! Honest to goodness, I'm impressed as can be. Editing software can be a bear to tackle.

"Late in life, Philip discovered his passion for documentary film making..." is how this story is going to end up :-)

Lovely fair, looks very lively. Plus, you've got blackmail material for those wee dancers later in their lives. Threaten to show it to their future boyfriends ;-) I joke because, as mentioned, Scottish heritage here. I barely escaped having to learn these dances, but I did have to wear the outfit from time to time.

Monkey Man said...

Great snippet of life. Wet or dry, it looked fun.

Argent said...

Wow! loved the video montage, it gave a lovely flavour of what was going on.

nollyposh said...

~Fabulous~ and i do so love a good ~Fair~ and Thankyou for popping by my blog Phillip with those lovely words X:-)

Bee Magic Chronicles for Kids said...

Food, dance and culture. That looks like a lot of fun. I miss Scotland and England. I haven't been there since I was a child.

Anonymous said...

Loved the post about Hundy Mundy.
Such fascinating places you/we have in the UK.
I'm an ex-pat in NY.
Originally fro Essex with lots of cousins in Southend.......
seems another world.

Anonymous said...

Loved the post about Hundy Mundy.
Such fascinating places you/we have in the UK.
I'm an ex-pat in NY.
Originally fro Essex with lots of cousins in Southend.......
seems another world.

Anonymous said...

Who can resist a child dancing?

nollyposh said...

(Ps) Phillip so THAT's what's been happening in those quiet dark corners of my dollie room! Lol! Although i suspect that your daughters dollies are a little less salubrious than mine! (Goodness knows what those naughty faeries get up to when you aren't looking! Sneaking my socks for one!)...Talking about socks, your daughters website knocked my socks right off my feet!!!... How fabulous Thankyou for the link, she is soo talented AND shares her talent which is even more wonderful! X:-)

Stella Jones said...

That was a great look at the Kelso fair. I just love these authentic happenings. Even when it doesn't go quite to plan, i.e. the younger dancers, it is still great. I bet their mums and dads were proud.
Blessings, Star

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your kind comments on my blog

and your memories of Southend!
Did you ever run into Oliver Norman, my uncle and a local doctor and JP? He was the sort of person who knew EVERYONE!
Wasn't your fault you had to collect VAT -- even Nathaniel Hawthorne collected taxes and where would we be without them.
So glad you are enjoying your retirement --as I am mine after many years of teaching.
I'm currently writing children's books based on my Essex childhood.
Cheers.