The sun shone brightly on Bridport Community Charter Fair on Saturday, and crowds flocked to what was in essence a bit of an experiment – combining the Charter Fair with the Community Fair, changing the date to coincide with the national 'Love Your Local Market' event, and re-locating from the town centre to Mountfield and the Millennium Green.

Not knowing quite what to expect, the organisers – a partnership between the Charter Fair Committee and Bridport Town Council – prepared 500 programmes to give out. Volunteers distributing the programmes were soon left empty handed: "We could have given out at least double that amount," one commented.

For the first time in some years a young May Queen was crowned, whilst children danced around the maypole on the Millennium Green to the delight of the onlookers. It was fitting that Meagan Lister was crowned by the niece and nephew, Mary and Andrew Callaway, of the late Bernard Gale - Bernard's Maypole was passed on to Teresa Grinter and the Lyric School of Dance to ensure that this ancient tradition is not lost, and Bernard's memorial overlooks the Millennium Green.

The Charter Fair Trophy, awarded annually to a group or organisation for outstanding service to the community, was presented by Mayor Ian Bark.

"I am thrilled to be able to present this trophy to the Bridport Medical Centre Covid volunteers," he announced.  "On behalf of the people of Bridport I would like to say thank you for all you did to help keep us all safe and well."

The Above and Beyond Award for an individual was presented to Sandra Brown. In 2016 Sandra received the MBE for her services to culture and the community, and she has dedicated half a century of voluntary involvement, working with a number of local organisations.

"On behalf of so many people whose lives have been touched by you," said the mayor, "Sandra, I would like to say thank you for all that you do that is above and beyond." 

Free entertainment was provided throughout the day by Dan Shackell and Sue Smith, Bridport Young Performers, Bridport Choral Society, Bridport Musical Theatre, Shiraz, Rough Assembly with Chloe Rainey, and the Phoenix Youth Band. Stalls were manned by some 50 organisations, Rexy the Dinosaur had rather a lot of photos taken by admiring fans - and not just children -, the children's corner hummed, Bridport and Bride Valley Rotary provided refreshments, and beverages offered by the Jurassic Fields Music Festival bar proved particularly popular.

Volunteer Margaret Trevett, whose late husband Rex had been the Charter Fair chairman before his death in 2005, said: "I think the whole event was brilliant. Congratulations to all for the great organisation."  

Rex Trevett's memorial also overlooks the Millennium Green.

Current chairman, Arthur Woodgate, said: "Our partnership with the town council has helped to produce something quite special. As our publicity states, this event 'seeks to reflect the diverse creativity, the passions and pastimes of the Bridport community, with all ages and interests welcomed and encouraged to take part'. We're getting there, and we wouldn't have got anywhere without the support of the town council."

Arthur thanked the town council team, along with town crier John Collingwood, Terri Foxwell, Grace Mynard and the staff at the TIC, with a special mention for Claire Peters-Way for managing the community stalls. Thanks also went to Dave Swaffield, Linda Larcombe, Jason Foote, Nick Good, Margaret Foster, Jodie Glover, DoDo Waring, Michael Bloys, and to McCarthy and Stone for its sponsorship of the event.