Collett Park Day 2007
"Jolly Boating Weather"!
Saturday 9th June saw Shepton Mallet hosting the Collett Festival, an annual chance for the people of Shepton and the surrounding area to let their hair down and celebrate what makes our town special. By the time the Festival officially started at 11am the sun was shining and there were already hundreds of people wandering around the various stalls, car boot traders and food and drink vendors. As the day progressed thousands of people passed through the gates of Collett Park and were treated to a mixture of music, dance, demonstrations and culture in the main ring and on the Bandstand.
Down on the Boating Lake the Shepton Mallet Drifters Model Boat Club exhibited and sailed their hand-crafted boats as the ducks looked on bemused. Ranging from Oil Tankers to Aircraft Carriers, from static to operational, the care and attention to detail that had gone into these models was clear to see and the opportunity to stop and talk to the people that had made them was too good to miss!
On the far side of the Lake visitors could view a number of restored Stationary Engines up close and learn a bit about the various usages that these magnificent machines were put to, as recently as the early 20th Century, and close by a group of 5 or 6 Classic Cars were proving very popular with the crowds.
Good food at Lisboa
The Collett Festival has always had a good turnout of Car Booters and this year was no exception. Amongst the bargains on offer were electric guitars, coffee makers, a classic portable radio, a novel egg timer, cameras and enough books to populate a library thrice over. One of the vendors sported a fetching bright yellow jacket with the words "POLITE" written in blue across the back, Police-style, adding to the jovial atmosphere of this most eclectic of areas of the Park.
For those in need of food and drink there was a diverse range on offer, from the obligatory Burger Van and Hog Roast to the gentle flavours of Town Street's own Portugese Restaurant, Lisboa, and High Street cafe Chats. For many it was a first chance to sample Portugese food and from the speed at which the various wraps and pastries were selling for most it is unlikely to be the last time! A well-stocked Bar ("The Mallett Arms") ensured that nobody went thirsty, whilst around the Park various local School and Charity Tombolas offered an alternative way to find that essential bottle of wine (or Fairy Liquid in the unfortunate writer's case!) whilst supporting a good cause.
The Bandstand
In terms of entertainment, there was something for everybody. Early in the day, the sound of brass drifted from the Bandstand whilst in the Main Arena visitors were given a taste of the West End by Shepton's own Academy Singers who recently moved into what was the Amulet in the Market Place. Promoting their production of "The Witches of Eastwick", which runs from 26th-30th June, it was a chance to discover what the relocated Bristol Academy of the Performing Arts was all about. Representatives of Shepton Mallet Young People's Centre on Paul Street followed up with a display of Breakdancing while meanwhile on the Bandstand a band of local teenagers treated a mixed audience to an hour or so of all-out Heavy Rock!
It was also an opportunity for the Emergency Services to show those present what it is that they do. The Police had brought along their new Community Car and had a steady flow of visitors whilst nearby the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance were raising funds for this most necessary cause. Their new Helicopter, which became operational in March of this year, was scheduled to land in the Main Arena in the early afternoon but, due to being called out to an emergency (for that is, of course, its purpose!), this was reduced to a brief flypast. Initial disappointment turned to delight, however, when just before the close of the Festival the 'copter returned and landed on the football pitch at the bottom of the park, prompting a rush of people (especially children) eager to see inside and a photo opportunity for the local Air Cadets who had been demonstrating what they did throughout the day.
As always, it is impossible to mention everything that happened during the day or everybody that was there; the local Churches, the local schools, youth groups and societies. But despite the threat of rain mid-afternoon the day stayed dry, the food and drink kept coming, the music flowed and everybody appeared to have a wonderful day out in one of Shepton's hidden gems, Collett Park.
Here's to next year!
Sean Miller, Shepton Life.
