Royston Kite Festival

Ice cream vendors did a roaring trade and the fresh fruit juice stall was sold out by early afternoon, such was the demand.  The show was opened by Royston Town Mayor, Cllr Iain Leggett with Royston Rotary President David Blundell, DG Dave Ford from Rotary District 1260 and Royston Town Crier Graham Pfaff.

Although very hot, the wind was a bit temperamental and there were long periods in the morning when the lack of it stopped the professional kite fliers from showing their skills; but the wind picked up in the afternoon so a spectacular show of kite flying was put on by the various clubs.  Many children even got to see their beloved teddy bears do a long-awaited parachute drop from a kite.

Apart from the kite flying we had children’s face painting, a kite-making workshop run by the Lions Club and, of course, Royston Rotary Club’s famous tombola tent with in excess of five hundred different prizes.  All this plus various stalls and sideshows and, not forgetting the bouncy castle and childrens roundabout

In the display area we were later entertained to a talented group of youngsters who were part of the Crystallite Majorettes from Letchworth.  This troupe can certainly twirl the pom-poms, as we saw!

There were some 75 entries in the Classic Vehicles Show which was run alongside the Kite Festival  A number of the classic cars were eventually shortlisted for a prize and the selected cars were processed around the display area and lined up ready for  the  drivers  to  be  interviewd  by  the  MC.    Eventually  the  winner’s  cup  was presented to John Ives, the owner of a beautiful 1955 Armstrong Siddley Sapphire limousine. 

A great day out for all the family and all the money raised will benefit charity, especially Acorn House (part of the Sick Children’s Trust) which is Royston Rotary President David Blundell’s chosen charity for the  year.For more information Click Here.

Grateful thanks must go to all Rotarians and their partners who worked so hard to make the show a success.  Particular praise must go to Rotarian Jonathon Berks who organised the Kite Festival this year, and to Ray Munden who organised the Classic Vehicle show.   Thanks also must go to Royston Scouts for their hard work in the heat on car parking duties and litter picking.

Tony Briar
Royston Rotary
6th August 2018