Kids in London – May Fayre on Richmond Green

On my lunch break from a Saturday course at Richmond Adult Community College, I was stopped on my way to get a sandwich at Pret a Manger by police directing the traffic. A splendid bag pipe player, a troop of Asian dancers and musicians and a car bearing the Mayor made their way through Richmond town centre.

I diverted down a side street and watched an energetic band perform outside The Duke Street church and made my way onto Richmond Green which was positively buzzing with all the tents and sideshows of the May Fayre.

On one side there were lots and lots of fairground attractions: A massive Helter Skelter with signs reminding you to take a mat, a carousel carrying lots of animated children round and round and an enormous bouncy castle with a smaller version by its side for the less adventurous kids. And, that old fashioned favourite – swing boats.

The central stage showcased numerous local performers – local schools and music clubs – and had attracted quite a crowd. I listened for a while to some rather good soul singers. As I picked my way around the rather crowded pathways I was stunned at the huge number of stalls and tents for national and local charities (The Richmond Society, The Richmond Local History Society, Twickenham Residents Association, Richmond Good Neighbours, Friends of Richmond Park, the Richmond Greyhound Trust and so on) alongside all manner of food (cakes were very popular) and bric-a-brac stands. The majority of local schools had stands too – to raise funds for numerous worthy projects.

I was surprised by an incredibly polite young lad – no more than seven – who started up a conversation with me and encouraged me to try the tombola, which I did although I didn’t manage to select a winning ticket. Both Kingston and Richmond theatre were promoting their programmes – and one provided a band playing 1950s music from the current run of The Buddy Holly story.

On the other side of the green I stopped a while to listen to the Fairground Organ Concert and I made a donation to the RNLI. The kids seemed mesmerised by the music. Then into the large marquee to explore all manner of crafts – jewellery, handbags, paintings, hand stitched clothes and lots of colourful wooden and knitted toys. I was delighted to talk to a group of young Air Cadets – my daughter has been hassling to get details and join up for a while – apparently there is an active group near Stanley Road in Teddington and Richmond has its own Army Cadets Corps.

I was rather sad that I only had a short time to wander round. The sun wasn’t being very co-operative, but this didn’t seem to matter to all the local families that were there – it was great fun. Next year I shall make a special effort to spend more time there.