The 2012 Festival of St.George will take place on SATURDAY 21st APRIL.

Already booked are Punch & Judy, Jonathan the Jester, The Weorod Re-enactment Group, Trigger the Train, Hampshire Garland Morris Dancers, Cascade South Downs Harmony Chorus, Orange Apples Storytellers, Actors from the Titchfield Festival Theatre, the Birnie Boozle Band and the Gosport Bowmen.    Then, on SUNDAY 22nd look out for an absolutely massive procession of Minis, Motorbikes and Scooters flying the flag on their traditional "Ride-Out" from The Red Lion in Stubbington.

Meanwhile, if you were not able to be with us for previous events, scroll down and see what you've been missing!

 
St.G Coat of Arms 
St.G Coat of Arms 

Matthew King as The Spirit of St George

Wow! What a great day we had.   The 5th "Festival Fayre" took place in Stubbington Recreation Ground and on The Green on St. George's Day, Saturday 23rd April 2011.    Hundreds of people turned out to support us and from the feedback we have received it was a tremendous success.    Thats not just our opinion.    Excellent reports appeared in the NEWS, the ECHO, FAREHAM PEOPLE, many 'freebies' and on BBC Radio Solent!   All of them offering congratulations and reporting that the event was a great success.

StGeorge2011017A

Arrival of St.George                    

                                                                    The arrival of St.George portrayed by Matt King from Crofton Riding School

Our grateful thanks must go to all the entertainers, stallholders and supporters for their wonderful contributions to the success of the Festival Sincere thanks also to our friends, the Stubbington Traders Association, and their Chairman Simon Wimble, and to the Stubbington Fayre Committee for their additional support and co-operation for this years show.

TownCriersThe Festival began on the Queens Birthday, Thursday 21st April when, accompanied by The Town Criers, Barry and Bobbie Roberts, we toured the Pubs announcing the Birthday and toasting the health of Her Majesty.    The Town Criers were able to read a message from Buckingham Palace which wished us "an enjoyable and memorable event!"    This gave Crofton Lions the opportunity to distribute Festival Brochures.    The generous patrons of The Red lion, The Golden Bowler, The Crofton and The Cuckoo Pint contributed £117.00 in donations on that night.

 

 

Messages of support and congratulations were received from:


Buckingham Palace

(please click on the image to see the letter)

 

Beirut Coat of Armspostcards of The Kremlin, Moscow
The Lions Club of Beirut,          St. George is the patron saint of Beirut 

(please click on the image to see their letter)


Emblem of Moscow 
The Lions Club of Moscow,       St. George the Victorious is also the patron saint of Moscow

(please click on the image on the left to see their letter)

 


 Lion Vicky Stabler being interviewed by Roger Hammett of BBC Radio SolentOn the day, thanks to our publicity, reporters and photographers including Roger Hammett from BBC Radio Solent visited the Fayre.    

He is seen here talking to Lion Vicky Stabler about the Easter Egg Hunt and Childrens Fancy Dress Competition that she was organising later in the day.

 

 

Barry Roberts, the Town Crier and the Fancy Dress competition New Members Tony and Vicky with small knights Fred 4, Alfie 2 and George 6

The Best turn out we've ever had for the Fancy Dress Competition

Photos by Steve Pilcher  http://farehampeople.co.uk

 

 

Lions Tony and Vicky with sons Fred 4, Alfie 2, and George 6 came well prepared to lead by example!

 

 

seeing double  2  two of the fancy dress winnersKateIlife the 3 year old dragon Kate Iliffe a 3 year old Dragon

                                                                                                                    Double Trouble Twins Tom & Joshua

But, first we had youngsters taking part in our traditional "International" Football Match England (& St. George) v. Wales (& The Dragon)

2011 THE TEAMSThe winning Team Captain receiving his medal from the Mayor of Fareham 

All of these 'Under 8' Players received an International Medal from the Mayor of Fareham, Cllr Brian Bayford.    The winners were Crofton Saints F.C. representing England.    Their worthy opponents were Stubbington F.C. 

  Presenting a medal to a Stubbington F.C. player

                                                 Photos by Steve Pilcher of Fareham People                                                                                                                                      http://farehampeople.co.uk 

WEOROD, the early medieval re-enactment group whose mission is "To shed some light on The Dark Ages," was a major attraction this year   Meonwara Charge!                    Weorod on BBC Radio Solent                                                                                                       

 

Roger Hammett of BBC Radio Solent attempting to interview two Weorod Warriors!   Should have waited till they returned to the 21st Century.    It would have been a lot safer!

(Wonder if he has completed a Risk Assessment?)

 

Steve Bacon the Barber Surgeon

Also in attendance a Medieval Barber Surgeon, Steve Bacon, with some gruesome exhibits!

 

 

Medieval surgery!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jonathan the Jester with his apprentices, Kevin and Ash

Photo by Steve Pilcher of Fareham People

http://farehampeople.co.uk        Kevin, Jonathan and Ash  The Jesters Jonathan THE JesterKevin the Jester on Unicycle Geoffrey Gould & Punch with Roger Hammett of BBC Radio Solent 

 

 

 

 

 

Geoffrey Gould, the Punch and Judy man was back for a second year.     Here "Mr Punch" is seen being interviewed by Roger Hammett for the Sasha Twining Show on BBC Radio Solent. 

  Punch and Judy

 "Thats the way to do it!"

 

Audience 

 

An audience with Punch and Judy 

St G 13

New additions to our show this year included Giant Zorb Balls for "Human Hampsters"! and the Hornpipe performed by the Warsash Sea Cadets who also gave us a demonstration of club swinging.   Both exercises derive from on board physical training in the Royal Navy of the 19th century

Warsash Sea Cadets dancing the Hornpipe

\\'Badge The cadets came from a relatively new unit of Sea Cadets called T.S. Tormentor

The Bernie Boozle Band led by Fred Mitchell of the Swanwick Lions Club also entertained us through the day.

Wickham Morris DancersThe Wickham Morris danced for us

in the Park and on The Green,

and

Fishbourne African DrummersThe Fishbourne African Drummers made a welcome return to our Festival.

Their music was played to commemorate the lives of Mary Kingsley from Cambridge and Richard Francis Burton from Torquay who were two of the first explorers to go into West Africa

 

 Richard Francis Burton in the Army

 

 

 

Richard Francis Burton from Torquay

 

Mary Kingsley from West African Studies 1899

 

 

 

 

Mary Kingsley from Cambridge

 

 

 

Two very welcome, and unannounced, attractions on the day were two of our emergency services.   

 

Matt Rolfe and Emma Collier from Red Watch

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service

Is it me or are police officers getting youngerFareham firefighters from 2 Red Watch Matt Rolfe and Emma CollierIs it my imagination or are the Police Officers getting younger?!

   

 

 

 

 

PCSO Emma Shore and PCSO Andy Leeks

 

 

PCSO Emma Shore and PCSO Andy Leeks 

 Crofton Lions wish to thank them for their tireless work for our community, and for being with us today.

Lion Reg Norton, the current President of our Club says "It is also time to thank our own members of Crofton Lions Club and the many friends who volunteered to help make the day very special.    Included in that list of friends is the Mayor and Mayoress Cllrs. Brian and Susan Bayford who postponed their holiday to be with us!"

 

St G 6  Reg Mayor VickyLion President Reg says a sincere "Thank You" and presents a traditional Rose of England to the Mayoress English Rose presented to the Mayoress  St.G 2011                                 

                

Mike S and volunteer Unsung Heroes

David Cliefe, one of many  friends who volunteered to help  with Lion Mike Shipley, our Treasurer and the Site Co-ordinator for this event.

 

 

 

 

 

The Show's over for today, time for some Late Knight Shopping!  

                                                                 Photos by Stive Pilcher  http://www.farehampeople.co.uk

Knights go shopping too 

Or simply take a break!

Jester taking a break

  

 

Because, on the following day, Sunday 24th April, Minis, Motorbikes and Scooters converged on Stubbington for our Annual St.George's Cavalcade organised by Becca and Ian at The Red Lion

Minis on ParadeScooter St.George 

 

Bikers at St. Georges Day 2011                                                                                               

  

 Would you like to be part of the 2012 event?

Crofton Lions intention is for the Festival to continue to be a whole Community Event so if you, or any Organisation that you belong to, would like to be included in the performance programme please use the 'Contact Us' button or call Lion President Reg Norton on 01329 663661  or eMail him at  reg4croftonlions@aol.com

To book a Stall for this years event of Saturday 21st April please contact Lion Donna Chant on Stubbington (01329) 314391
    

 Meanwhile, here are some images of previous years..                                 THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES FORMED PART OF OUR                               2009 "FESTIVAL OF ST. GEORGE"

     Nasira

 One of the big attractions at the Village Fayre in 2009 was Nasira and her Turkish Belly Dancers (St.George came from Cappodocia in Northern Turkey.

 

Biker with St. George

 

 

Nearly 60 Bikers and 20 Mini Car Drivers took part in the ride last year, the 50th Anniversary of the Mini.    All of them flying the Flag and many wearing Red & White they rode into  Stubbington as modern day "Knights of the Road". The evening was a great success meeting old friends and making new ones, and enjoying the great Burgers at THE RED LION.

  

  

Poster giving all details of Nostalgia Variety Show on 24th April 2009 in Crofton Community CentreFriday, 24th April 2009

in Crofton Community Centre

We had a superb Musical Evening with "NOSTALGIA"

featuring Reg, Cheryl & Dave, Duets from Hazel & Margaret, the young singing sensation 'Channele' and Wayne Coates..Comedian, Musician and vocalist.

Music & Songs from Yesteryear as part of our celebration of the Festival of St. George         Tickets £7.00 (£5.00 for Senior Citizens and Children)  available at Crofton Community Centre or Telephone Lion Reg Norton on: 01329 663661

 

 

 Then, on Sunday, 19th April 2009 Nearly 600 Scouts from the Fareham West District mustered in Stubbington for their traditional 'St. George's Parade' at 2.00 p.m. led by the District Scout Band.  The Salute was taken at the Crofton War Memorial by the Mayor and Mayoress of Fareham, Cllr Ernest Crouch and his wife, Enid.    They were accompanied by District Commissioner Lester Eyres and one of the County Comissioners.    Later, in the Stubbington Recreation Ground all Sections renewed their 'Promise' and listened to an address by Rev. Bill Matthews in which he explained the meaning behind the various flags carried in the parade finishing with the Cross of St. George Flag of England.

 

Scouts in the Park CNV00109Cub Scouts march past CNV00101                             Scout Band in the Park CNV00102                       

 

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 Remember, Crofton Lions want this Festival to be a "Whole Community" Event so if you would like to be included in the programme of future events please contact our Festival Coordinator, Lion Reg Norton on 01329.663661 or eMail reg4croftonlions@aol.com

 

Or, if you would like to book a Stall please contact Lion Donna Chant on Stubbington (01329) 314391

  

 Additional information will be posted on a daily basis on the Crofton Lions Facebook pages.