Newbiggin by the Sea Annual Fayre Day
The great Newbiggin by the Sea Annual ‘Fayre Day’ began in 1995. Peter Johnson was the Chairman of the Fayre Committee and he was the principal organiser helped by a small team.
Peter looked after the main stage event and the parade. Brian Watson and Malcolm Peden organised the car parking in Central Park and in the field next to Woodlea. Stephen Peel organised the second stage which was on the Quay Wall next to Bertorelli’s.
The second stage was to give local entertainers an opportunity to perform. Michael and Joyce Rutter played a key part in the organisation and the late Jackie Lothian led the parade.
The Fairground People arrived the night before and took up their positions between the White House corner and the Cresswell Arms. Stallholders and performers began arriving from about 6:00 am. The dozen volunteers involved in the plans were up at 5:00 am to sort out the inevitable problems. By 10:00 am Front Street was a river of people from all over who filled up every available space. It was incredible. Traffic on the Spine Road was halted by traffic waiting to get int Newbiggin by the Sea.
Metro Radio and other channels reported the event, and the established Bands of the day loved the venue. The main stage was situated next to the Lifeboat House and the acoustics across the Bay was incredible. The band could be heard from miles away.
Organising the great Newbiggin by the Sea Annual ‘Fayre Day’ required a Health and Safety report costing hundreds of pounds which the committee did not have but our fellow citizen Keith Laws, a qualified Health and Safety Officer, volunteered to provide one at no cost. What a relief!
The Police.
Initially, the Police wanted payment for their services but then they agreed to no charge.
The Fire Brigade
had to have a presence and a Fire Engine was parked on High Street.
St John’s Ambulance Service
also volunteered their presence to meet the H&S. Road closures were arranged with the County Council.
Cleaning up after the event was a problem when the Local Authority wanted over £1,000.00 to do it. A band of willing volunteers did a good job.
Raising funds for the event was scary because the bills had to be met, mainly to pay for the entertainers. It was usually about £5,000.00. Money was raised by concerts in the Bank House Club and the Sports Centre. Some good tribute bands were engaged to provide the entertainment. A substantial contribution from the fairground people was a big help.
Without a major donor, the Newbiggin by the Sea Fayre Day became more difficult to finance. After the Millennium the logistics became more unsustainable each year despite the best efforts of Michael and Joyce Rutter and Malcolm Peden.
The Fayre Day came about because up to the 1990’s the local establishment plan was to make Newbiggin by the Sea a suburb of Ashington.
The establishment thought that Newbiggin by the Sea had little future. How wrong they were.
The Fayre Day events began the transformation of Newbiggin by the Sea from a neglected community into a community with much to offer. Investment followed with a replacement beach.
We have much to look forward to now.
Alan Thompson
December 2020
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