PSMCA Mid Summer Festival 2019
Last weekend (14th - 16th June) saw one of the highlights of our event calendar, the annual Plympton St Maurice Civic Association Mid-Summer Festival. The 3-day event takes place in several locations around the village. This year the event was once again opened by the Sir Joshua Reynolds Choir who for the first time was performing in the historic surroundings of the Plympton St Maurice Guildhall. The 50 strong choir's theme this year was "As Long as I Have Music". The proceeds from the concert have been donated to the choirs chosen charity, which this year is the Friends of the Guildhall (FroGs).
Saturday saw an early start for some of the volunteers ranging in age from 5 to 65 in the rain but by 8:30 am the clouds started to clear to produce what was one of the nicest days in June this year. By 11 am the field had started to take shape with the multicoloured gazebo of all the different charities, organisation and local businesses. While the field was taking shape, we also hosted the Plympton Art Group setting up for their weekend exhibition on the main hall of the Guildhall. By 12 pm the field was buzzing with activity as the procession of classic cars led by St Maurice's historic fire engine which was pulled by the Plympton's 1st Scouts. The arena was filled with displays from local clubs, the Plympton St Maurice Judo club and the Susan Jane School of Dancing. Historia Normannis Plymouth showed the spectators what life was like during the 1135ad - 1215ad by having an encampment on the field and gave us a display of battle techniques during that time. Children and adults were also entertained throughout the afternoon by Mark the Magician and crowds gathered to listen to Plympton Academy's band made up of student from a range of year groups.
The atmosphere of the field was alive all afternoon with all the stall having a range of offerings for the public to enjoy, from sweet treats home-made cakes and fudge, handmade jewellery, charities raising awareness for their causes. Our traditional games corner entertained all ages with many witnessing the spectacle that is the Human Fruit Machine. People queued throughout the afternoon to get their hands on a lamb bap, traditional hot dog or a corn on the cob and the kids were able to get enjoy some sweet treats from the Civic Associations Tuck Shop. The Dog show was once again one of our most popular attractions with both young and old dogs and their owners trying to prove their dog was worthy of a rosette and a chance to win the Best in Show rosette. To bring the afternoon to a close we held our Tug-o-war competition between local pubs, clubs and groups of friends.
On the Sunday, 26 households within St Maurice opened their doors and invited visitors to come in and enjoy their much loved gardens which are normally hidden behind the historic walls or down alleyways and side roads that are walked past on a regular day. Plympton St Maurice Church was offering refreshment from the church hall and many of the gardens offering treats and drinks to the visitors.
Overall it was a very well supported weekend by the public and the weather was on our side for the majority of weekend but a special Thank You has to go to our army of volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes and then on show day which without them these events wouldn't be possible.
