When the pandemic forced the cancellation of Salcombe Regis Country Fair last year, it wasn’t the first time the organisers had to contend with unforeseen circumstances.

For two decades ago, the event was put on hold because of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.

The event was first staged in 1972 and so 2021 would have been the 50th anniversary but for the cancellations.

Over the years the fair has generated in excess of £100,000 for local charities as well as supporting the church in Salcombe Regis.

This year, the fair should have been on Thursday, June 3 but had to be postponed again due to Covid restrictions which were in place at that time.

The organising committee took the decision a few months ago to plan optimistically for a fair in late summer when hopefully conditions had improved.

Now, in the light of recent announcements, the village fair will take place on Thursday, August 26, 2021 between 2pm and 5pm.

Fair chairman, Tom Griffiths, said: “All the usual arrangements have been finalised with the Gittisham Hall Jazz Band striking up at 2pm.

“We now need to stock our stalls with the usual wide range of articles such as antiques of all kinds, bric-a-brac, clocks, watches, books, cakes, children’s toys, plants, gifts, glassware, china, tools of all kinds, gadgets, jewellery, accessories, handbags and jigsaw puzzles.”
“Regrettably large items cannot be accepted as the village is closed to traffic for the afternoon and we do not accept linen items of any description.”

The local charities to benefit this year are Sidmouth Hospice at Home, Sidmouth Surf Life Saving Club, Parkinsons UK – East Devon branch, Sidmouth Living with Cancer and Sid Valley Memory Café – Admiral Nurse Appeal.

Free car parking as usual will be available at the Salcombe Regis Recreation Field where the Scouts will be marshalling the car park in their highly efficient manner.

Minibuses will provide transport into the village and return to the car park. Refreshments will be available in the village.

Donations for the fair will be gratefully received by Mike Newman (01395 513313), Rob Speers (01395 513395) or Tom Griffiths (07962-303158).