THE SUN shone brightly when The Friends of Asby School held a well-attended May Fair at Wild Rose, Ormside, reports Anne Hulse.

Members of J C Dancers, of Kirkby Stephen, which incorporates children of all ages from Asby and the surrounding villages, danced around two maypoles bedecked with coloured ribbons in traditional celebration of the Spring Festival.

There was further entertainment by Euphoric Circus of Appleby who, after their performance, encouraged the audience to try the skills for themselves. Teen Element Band then provided musical entertainment.

Stalls tempted people to try their hand at fishing for a duck, guessing the birthday or the name of two cuddly toys, deciding where buried treasure might be hidden, chancing their luck on a tombola, shying at a coconut, or throwing at a stack of tin cans. There was a queue for Face Painting but the children were prepared to wait. There were stalls selling bric-a-brac, plants and baking and refreshments to suit all tastes.

The ladies of Asby WI, Mothers' Union and St Peter's Church did great business with their hot drinks and home-baking stall.

For the children with plenty of energy, there was lots to do with a bouncy castle, an enormous bouncy clown where the children went inside to bounce. Climbing the inflatable slide was a challenge before the screaming steep descent.

Football hopefuls could try out their goal-scoring at a goalmouth and nursery children had their own play area.

Members of the Appleby Retained Fire Brigade brought their fire engine which was climbed into eagerly by many small children. The Firemaster and his crew demonstrated rescuing people from crashed vehicles. They had brought with them a car which they proceeded to cut apart using a large pair of pincers and spreaders.

The fair raised more than £1,000 for school funds.