Lancaster at Rippingale Feast

Sunday was the day of the annual Rippingale Feast for which a Lancaster and Hurricane from the Memorial flight did a fly-past.

Unfortunately I was unable to go to the Feast as I was unwell, however I managed this shot from our back garden on the Lancaster's approach to the village.

Fenland feasts probably developed alongside the medieval feast days held to celebrate the day of the saint to whom the local church is dedicated.

There is a record of the Rippingale Feast in July 1882, and the feasts were held until the outbreak of the First World War. There are no records since then until 1976 saw a modern day revival of the feast in Rippingale.

This year's feast began with a Ceilidh on Saturday night with music from the Elusive Black Dog Ceilidh Band, and a pie and mash supper (I did go to that!)

Then on Sunday there was a parade from St Andrew's Parish Church with Morris dancers, a motorcycle cavalcade, vintage and "quirky" cars and the Rippingale Feast Rose Queen 2013 chosen from candidates nominated by local people. The parade arrived on the field at 1.00pm, when the Feast was formally opened by a local Councillor and the fun began with picnics, barbecue, vintage tea-tent, stalls, exhibitions and displays, a paper aeroplane competition and games. There was also a dog agility training group display, more Morris dancing and the flypast by the Memorial flight. Festivities concluded with a service in the Church when the Rose Queen was presented with a rose bowl.

Never a dull moment in the countryside!

P.S. I am a bit behind with commenting, but hope to catch up later today.