Winkleigh Fair 2010 was off to a flying start last weekend with lots of entertainment and fun events to look forward to in the coming week.

After a successful quiz night on Saturday, the official opening ceremony of this year's fair took place on Sunday.

Following the ceremony there was the traditional 'well dressing' by the town's pre-school pupils, who dressed the well with bunches of flowers. Children also took part in a mask making workshop. Torrington Town Band entertained with a music rendition in the square.

After the church service, the band played the parade back into the square for the well blessing by Father Peter Norman.

The fair was officially opened by Ian Kingsbury, resident of Winkleigh and a committee member from 35 years ago.

Fair queen Lucy Cox and fair king Chris Skinner were then crowned by Ian before a balloon release ended the official ceremony.

To refresh everyone the WI provided cream teas in the community centre and there was a hotly contested inter-pub cricket match at the sports centre.

Maxine Morpurgo, a Winkleigh Fair committee member, told the Times: 'Sunday was an excellent afternoon and set us up for an excellent week to look forward to. I particularly enjoyed the releasing of the balloons which was a very colourful sight.'

There is a busy week of events ahead, with the finale of Fair Saturday on July 17.

There will be a farmers' market between 10am and 1pm and all sorts of entertainment — Reptile Man will be there with a lot of creepy crawlies which the children love, while for dads there will be a number of vintage cars on display to admire.

Through the afternoon and evening, including the children's fancy dress competition, there will be the Battle of the Bands, Big Beat, Village Races and the Thorvetones playing out Winkleigh Fair 2010.

Organisers said everyone is welcome to come along to the events throughout the week and all profits will go towards Winkleigh Fair 2011.