Fur flies at the church (From Swindon Advertiser)

Fur flies at the church

11:45am Monday 15th September 2008 in

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THE COUNTRYSIDE came to town, as Christ Church held its traditional autumn fair.

Fairground music drifted through the church’s grounds in Swindon’s Old Town on Saturday, as ferrets raced and children took park in old-fashioned games.

Swing boats, ‘hook the bottle with a hoop’ and ‘hit the coconut’ were some of the rustic past-times on offer.

Members of the Bristol Ferret Club came to town with pets Wilbur and Jill, who entertained the crowds by dashing up pipes.

Club member Mark Shepherd said: “People get very excited about ferret racing and that includes adults as well as children.

“Some say it is better than greyhound racing. Originally ferrets were used to hunt rabbits but they are now kept as pets and make very good ones.”

Money raised by raffles and bric-a-brac sales will go towards charities supported by Christ Church.

Organiser Daphne Hardwick said: “This is our fifth annual fair and we try to make it traditional.

“It is for people in the community and aims to bring people into the church and gardens.”

She said the event would not be possible without the help of members of the congregation.

Ridgeway Explorer Scouts hosted the ‘hit the coconut’ stall.

Assistant leader Rod Palmer said: “The young Scouts are looking after the stall themselves. They are enjoying themselves and it does them good.”