© Yoxford-Oxfayre 2009  Webmaster: The Viper.  

For our 18th year we brought together many of the previous Oxfayre Queens.  Pride of place in the procession went to the Oxfayre Queen, who opened the proceedings - this year it's Gabby Hemens, who follows a long line of distinguished alumni. No more so than Hilda Booty (100), who took the crown in 1997 at the age of 91 having been spotted dancing on a table!

Ballet-mad Mrs Booty met up with a few of her successors at Satis House Hotel in Yoxford to give some regal advice: "I wore a gold gown, a blue sash and white gloves. It's a very busy day, but you give it your all and you will enjoy it."  Lisa Foreman (queen in 1998) remembers she borrowed a white wedding dress and a purple cloak, plus the all-important tiara ("I think the dress came from one of my teachers"), and her sister Claire (queen in 2006) and Sophie Brennan (queen in 2003) both remembered borrowing the sash from Mr Chairman, who can be called on in any last-minute emergency.

Having arrived at the Village Hall Gabby stepped onto the stage to open the proceedings.

Gabby’s first task of the afternoon was to judge the celebration cakes which had been made by some of the talented cake bakers of the village. The delightful medieval castle cake was a justly deserved winner of the first prize.  The cakes were auctioned off at the end of the day to the enjoyment of the crowd.

The first event of the day was a demonstration by the Jitterbugs.  They are a great favourite of Oxfayre day and always get the crowd tapping their feet and many joined in at the end of the set to get some first hand tuition.

Following the Jitterbugs came the Samboomba Samba band with their lively sights and sounds.  The Mystic Bellydancers then gave an exotic demonstration and ended by getting volunteers to join them.

The weather was absolutely fantastic and the sun shone all afternoon.  There was the opportunity to sit on the comfy straw bales watching the entertainment or to wander around the Village Hall and it’s grounds to partake of the other great events which were happening.  There were the usual fantastic refreshments to enjoy including cream teas, home baked cakes and the licenced bar.

The older children had enormous fun on the inflatable assault course whilst the younger ones had their own bouncy castle; here was also a face painter who was a great hit with the little ones and a great range of stalls offered a large range of craft products with something to appeal to everyone.  The raffles and tombola’s were as popular as ever and the fayre games were enjoyed by all.  The afternoon was rounded off with a two hour set by the Glamtastic the terrific glam rock cover band

Oxfayre 2009 was a fitting tribute to our 18th year and we thank everyone who came and all who supported us with help and donations for helping to make it such a huge success.