Austwick Cuckoo Festival and Street Market Report 2011

At the annual meeting of the Street Market committee on July 26th in the village hall the chairman thanked all those who had pulled together in the adverse weather conditions to make this years festival such a success. ( Photographs by courtesy of Mike Clark)

Once again it had been a real community effort and although the dismal, damp morning had affected the attendance the actual returns for all the clubs and societies involved were not much lower than last year's record figures. Accordingly the committee had been able to give sums of £3600 to both the Playing Fields Association and the Village Hall Committee.

The Treasurer explained that all the prizes had been covered by sponsors who had once more given generous support. Although the rain had discouraged some visitors the Austwick Amble had been even better supported than last year reflecting the increasing popularity of our fell race with 130 participants. (107 Senior- 19 under 12- 4 under 16).

Looking ahead to next year and the change in the holiday pattern for the jubilee celebrations the Committee confirmed that in 2012 the date for the Street Market would be Monday the 4th of June. This would mean that the four day programme of events could be retained and still leave free the National Holiday on Tuesday the 5th of June.

Reflections on this year's event was helped by a slide show of a selection of Mike Clarks photographs taken on the day. Many helpful comments, observations,and suggestions were made to assist in the preparation for next year when the theme most favoured was, not surprisingly, the Olympics - plent of scope there for the cuckoo designers.

The Committee will be losing the services of Paul Tarbuck, Jean Henry, and Catherine Menday and the chairman praised the huge contribution which they have made over the years and he was relieved to confirm that they would still be working to maintain the quality of the festival. There were re-appointments to the Committee.

Chairman: Ian Plimmer Treasurer: Gordon James Secretary: Joan Robson.

New members appointed were: Roger Mitchell, Stuart Leveridge and Peter Liptrot, and one remaining vacancy.

For enquiries and offers of support for next years event you may contact the committee by email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Please note that an archive has been set up on the main menu if you wish to look at previous years

Friday 27th May to Monday the 30th May 2011 

To mark the 30th anniversary of the Festival, this year's theme for cuckoos is "Celebration". Please see the program below for the festival which takes place over the whole of the Bank Holiday there's something for everyone.

Austwick Cuckoo Festival and Street Market.

Friday 27^th to Monday 30^th May 2011.

Friday 27^th May in the Parish Hall.

Great entertainment with bar and food. Tickets will be available at the shop. Thanks to Martin Pettiford.  A fun filled night.

Saturday 28^th May. Village sports and BBQ at the playing fields from 4.00 pm.

Races and games for children and adults with small prizes and trophies.

Sports followed by a barbecue and a bar. We hope that whatever your sport, bowls, tennis, cricket, rounders or athletics, you will enjoy the day.

Please remember to return your trophies from last year.

Everyone is welcome to this village occasion.

Sunday 29^th May. Walk with Wes at 1.30 pm from the Cross.

Adults £1.00. Children 50p.  The walk is followed by tea and biscuits in the Parish Hall.

Please assist putting up the market stalls for Monday.

Monday 30^th May. Austwick Festival and Street Market.

 Entertainment all day from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm.

• Shire horses.
• Bouncy castles.
• Donkey rides.
• Oak Quartet Jazz band.
• Zoot's circus performances.
• Coconut Shy.
• Skittles.
• Amazing alpacas.
• Rare sheep.
• Classic/Vintage cars.
• Recitals in the Church.
• King James Bible exhibition in the Church.
• Children's photographic exhibition and Adult art exhibition in the Parish Hall.

 Great food

• Hog roast provided by The Traddock.
• Pie and peas.
• Cakes and scones.
• Bacon butties.
• Ice cream.

The Austwick Amble Fell Race

Juniors start at 12.00 noon from the village green over a short course.

Seniors start from the village green at 1.00 pm.

Entrance is £4.00 for seniors and £1.50 for juniors, to be paid on the day.

Senior records:  Men J. Logue 49.23, Ladies C. Leah, 57.23

Collection nights

Please donate saleable items for the stalls: bric-a-brac, china, clothes, books and toys.

Please leave tombola prizes with Joyce Shuttleworth at Leak House or with Denise Candlin at Silwood Cottage.

All clothes unsold after the Street Market will be donated to Great North Air Ambulance with proceeds for the School PTA.

Please note.

Collection nights will be on Thursday 12^th May and Tuesday 17^th May.

Thank you for all donations. A supply of carrier bags is required for the Magpie Stall. Please pass on to Margaret Pye.

No large furniture will be collected, or white goods or televisions. Non-saleable items will not be accepted.

Cuckoo theme

Please make and display a Cuckoo. Our theme this year is Celebration. If you live outside the village then please display your cuckoo outside the Village Hall.

Prizes will be awarded as follows:

1^st prize           £20

2^nd prize          £10

3^rd prize           £5

Please register your Cuckoo at the village shop and display your Cuckoo by Friday 27^th May.

Attractions

This year there will be two musical events presented by Christine Dittman in the Church.

An exhibition of photographs taken by children from Austwick Primary School will be on display in the Parish Hall. In the main Hall there will be a display of art work by local artists. We are also interested to see what Zoot has in store for us.

 Road Closure

For safety reasons, Austwick will be closed to through traffic, from the Cross to the School, on May 30^th from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm. We hope this will not inconvenience you. If you would like alternative parking suggestions then please see a committee member.

 Programmes and entry

We shall ask for a voluntary contribution from each adult of £1 on entry for the programme.

 Your help is needed!

We are looking for people to kindly make scones to sell on the day please. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Volunteers are needed for a number of tasks on the day. Please contact any committee member if you can help.

Volunteers are needed to put the bunting up in the village on Tuesday 24^th May at 6.00 pm.

Spirits Diary. Thank you to Eric at the Game Cock for supplying bottles for this year's Spirits Diary.

Please support this venture.

 Thank you!

Thank you for your generous support. It is greatly appreciated. The event is a community effort which we hope will be fun and will justify the hard work. We thank you for every contribution.

 The Street Market Committee     

Ian Plimmer (Chairman) 01524251416 ..............

Joan Robson (Secretary) 01729825862 ..........

Gordon James (Treasurer) 01524251668

Jean Henry, Catherine Menday, Margaret Pye, Paul Tarbuck.

 or you can E-mail  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it