THE much beloved Okehampton Rotary May Fair and its duck races is to take place on Sunday, May 1.

Maddy Carragher from Okehampton Rotary said: ’This year’s May Fair promises to be the biggest yet, with 67 stalls booked in, which is pretty amazing considering it all started with a duck race sometime last century!’ 

The fair opens to the public at 11am, with the official opening by the town mayor Cllr Paul Vachon at 12.30pm.

Local woodsman Andy Wrayford will be giving chainsaw sculpting demonstrations in the main arena. Andy is a self-taught sculptor, having learned to use a chainsaw as part of his forestry training. He uses locally sourced wood and carves a wide range of animals and figures, based in the workshops at Kigbeare Studios and Gallery.

OCRA and Lynn Rogers will be putting on the May pole dancing from 1pm with children from local schools, followed by a display of taekwondo by Guy Southard, a 5th degree black belt and international instructor, and his students.

Maddy Carragher said: ’This year we are focusing on keeping active from an early age, either dancing or a martial art, both of which are on our doorstep in Okehampton.’

There will be a craft tent where potter Bethan Jones will demonstrate throwing on the potter’s wheel, Liz Gard will show visitors how to weave willow into baskets, Sophie Berger will give lino cut demonstrations and other talented cratspeople will show off their work.

Shortly after the mayor declares the fair open, the Royal British Legion will present Cllr Vachon and former mayor of West Devon and Okehampton Cllr Christine Marsh with certificates of appreciation in recognition of their fundraising endeavours for the Poppy Appeal in 2014/15. Also present will be Andy Oliver, the commanding officer of 2443 Okehampton Air Training Corp. Andy ran last Sunday’s London Marathon after losing a bet with the squadron’s cadets.

The Rotary Club is selling programmes for the first time. Each programme is numbered and a draw will take place at 3.30pm, with the owner of the matching numbered programme winning a hamper over £50.

HERE are some pictures of last year’s Rotary May?Fair, taken by Times photographer James Bird.