The 2012 Country and Western Festival:- 27th September – 7th October
Well, we had a bit of a nervous few days prior to the start of the festival due to the wet weather. What a contrast to the heat wave of the previous year. We should have been used to it by now considering what a wet season we have had. But the ground staff rallied and prepared and repaired the grass pitches to accommodate the largest arrival intake ever!
We welcomed back many familiar faces as well as greeting many newcomers who contributed to a very lively festival. Even those visitors who were unaware of the festival when they arrived and who thought that they had entered an alternate reality at seeing so many unexpected sights soon joined in.
Northam Farm Reception, The Seagull and Scotty’s were decorated with flags and memorabilia and the staff dressed enthusiastically each day for the occasion. Reception was even graced with a visit from “Dolly Pardon” who was appearing incognito with dark hair and a strategically disguised and much reduced “chest”! Some said she bore a remarkable likeness to Jenny! Come to think of it, where was Jenny that week? Occasionally, a few bemused holidays makers would venture into Reception to see the girls doing their own unique form of Country and Western dancing, getting carried away by the moment (it’s probably down to hormones!)
As usual, the costumes were wonderful showing meticulous attention to detail making them very authentic. It was nice to see whole families dressing up in both day wear and evening wear. We love to sit in Reception and see the ladies in their beautiful dresses and the men in their various incarnations as cowboys and Native Americans parade by each day.
Thank you to the stallholders who manned our lively Traders Village outside The Seagull. We also had stalls in Scotty’s and on Northam Farm. There was the usual variety of goods on sale from jewellery, clothing, music and memorabilia. All reports were that trading was up to standard and particularly good mid week. Thank you again for contributing to a great atmosphere.
The entertainment was very well supported with acts appearing in both The Seagull and Scotty’s. The line dancing was as popular as ever and the various Trilogies were exceptional. The Indian dancing went down particularly well. There will be an extra Trilogy next year on the Tuesday for the Blues and Greys or Confederates and Yankees.
We held a Western Style BBQ at Scotty’s on the first Saturday evening and a Pig Roast at The Seagull on the Thursday evening, both proving to be as popular as last year.
We are particularly proud that The Seagull is actually at the centre of the Country and Western Festival as it was the first venue to bring this type of event to Brean over 15 years ago. How things have changed in that time!
The Festival Charity chosen for this year was The Royal British Legion. A huge thank you to Sue Potepa for her help in the initial organisation and particularly Daphne Pike who stalwartly was at The Seagull each day fund raising. What a lovely lady. And of course on Thursday, the RBL did their own version of a Trilogy when the Standard Bearers marched through The Seagull concluding with the National Anthem when everyone stood to attention. What a moving moment. The collection, the raffle, the auction and the car boot sale in Scotty’s have raised a wonderful £2150.00. Thank you to everybody who donated most generously and all the other volunteers who helped. We all know that this money will be used for an excellent cause.
Well, that’s it for another year. The horses are back in the corral, the steers are out on the range, stetsons have been hung up, guns locked away and the costumes put back in the wardrobe not to mention the war paints washed off! If you feel inspired to come to us next year, pick up the phone and give us a call or book on line. We would love to see you.
And remember; don’t squat with your spurs on!!!!!
Dates for the 2013 Country and Western Festival -
Thursday 26th September - Sunday 6th October.
