John Stacey, King’s Teignton Ram Roasting Fair chairman, writes:

’Again, fortune smiled on the King’s Teignton Ram Roasting Fair, as the sun shone on residents, visitors, performers and stallholders all through the day. The committee were pleased with the variety of the programme although it was a bit of job to get the timings correct.

’The chairman has taken full responsibility for the delay in cooking the third ram caused by him picking up logs that were too big and therefore hard to produce heat. He has been told to get smaller ones for next year and I apologise to those who either missed out on the ram rolls or who had a very extended wait.

’In 2014 we decided to increase the entertainment value of the fair each year with something new or different. I think that our efforts for this year have been successful based on the initial results of the feedback form that we asked visitors to complete.

’The new items introduced this year were the Victorian swing boats, Annie’s Irish dancers (all the way from Truro, Cornwall) and the full complement of Kagemusha Taiko. When combined with our own wonderful Maypole dancers and the energetic Sports for All, it resulted in a successful and enjoyable day for our visitors. In 2017 we will again endeavour to increase the entertainment value of the fair without increasing costs to our supporters.

’Our thanks go to Kingsteigntons own town crier, Mrs Jackie Edwards, for opening the show, where we observed a minute silence for the loss of our dearest friend Tony Beard, the Widecombe Wag.

’We also thank her for assisting with the judging of the dog show, and to Cllr Ron Peart, Kingsteignton mayor for ably judging the best decorated pole and for casting his eye over the canine favourites.

’Local sponsorship has proved to be the best ever and has greatly helped out with the increase in costs we face each year, so we do not have to pass them on to our residents & visitors.

’It is very satisfying to see local companies supporting local events of this nature and I would like to make special mention of Sibelco (UK) Ltd, J & K Davey funeral directors. Teignbridge Letting Services, Eatons Patisserie, Launa Windows and NFU Mutual, This is, of course, without forgetting the many businesses within Kingsteignton who so generously contributed towards the raffle prizes and with many other areas of assistance.

’Extra special thanks have to go to Tower Scaffolding who jumped in at the last minute to provide the superb stage for our performers and Comet Carpets for helping to make it look professional.

’As always, we hope that the results, when finalised, will allow us to contribute a beneficial amount of the funds to our local charities and organisations.

’As soon as I have all of the results to hand I will announce the date for the annual meeting where we will present the donation cheques and publicise the accounts for the 2016 fair. All members of the public will be welcome to attend.

‘The volunteers who comprised the field staff worked extremely hard from early morning to early evening and I will go on record so say that without these people the fair would not be possible to maintain.

‘It is very pleasing to report that for the first time 20 years we have a full committee thanks to three excellent people who volunteered on the day. We still need more volunteers for an hour or so on the day to supplement the committee and are actively looking to increase these as the fair grows larger and more complex.

As chairman my sincere thanks go to the committee, all of the volunteer helpers and, most of all, to the people of Kingsteignton who help make our special day your special day in the Kingsteignton calendar.’

A feature and pictures appear in the latest edition of the Mid-Devon Advertiser, on sale tomorrow, Friday, June 3.