The Lilac Fair is back: thank you
Thank you to everyone who came to the 112th Lilac Fair on 21 and 22 May, the first since 2019. Our best estimate, from the counts at the four entrances to the Market Square, is that about 8,700 people came over the two days.
Ninety-one stallholders took part. The town band played on both days, the procession to the statue on Saturday afternoon was led for the first time by pupils from both primary schools, and the children’s lilac crowns ran out by noon on Saturday.
The cordial stall sold its last bottle at ten past two on Sunday. The cordial committee made 1,180 bottles this year, fewer than usual because the gooseberries bottled in 2020 could not be used. They have promised more next year.
The fair costs the Trust a little over £30,000 to put on. After stall fees, sponsorship and the cordial, it made a surplus of £6,412 for the museum.