The 11th Annual Boscombe Community Fair
8nd - 10th September 2006
Kings Park Boscombe, Bournemouth

In what seemed like a blessing from the gods the summer sun stretched itself for a few more days to celebrate the Boscombe Community fair this year. The event happened on the 8^th 9^th and 10^th of September at Kings park and organisers say it was the most successful to date.

There was a main stage tent along with ‘the other stage’ an arts tent and across the park an acoustic stage with open mic sessions. The main stage played host to bands such as ‘Jurado’ who delighted their audience with some good-time rocking songs featuring a charismatic lead singer who stomped his way through the set helped along with some ethereal female backing vocals and harmonica. Over in ‘the other stage’ there were happenings such as what seemed like a two guys musically possessed, one banging away on lead guitar and a drummer doing his utmost to keep up but their extreme passion made up for lack of other sounds.

There were local community stalls promoting their causes, including an impressive display from the ‘Tibet Culture Trust’ who are based in the Royal Arcade, Boscombe. In the healing area massages were given free and you could chill out with a hot drink and cake in the tepee. Organisers did not forget the environment either as bins were provided for separate items of rubbish to be recycled.

Strange things were afoot at the arts tent where local poets, drummers, singers, dancers and a twenty piece fiddle orchestra all got their chance to show off their talents. Lets not forget the beautiful exhibition of paintings and photographs from artists around Boscombe and of course the preachings of the Church of the Divine Elvis who healed the sick and even brought back people from the dead.

Organiser Venita Parker said the arts tent “was absolutely amazing” and added that the fair itself was: “A great success.” She went on to say that they had to contend with a new site, which was a learning curve, but happily the event went on to beat all records. Some 5000 people were in attended and to top it all the stalls on site raised more money than expected.

Rarely do we get an opportunity to appreciate the richness of local talent and community values such as this. Local people working so hard to give Boscombe the reputation it deserves. Altogether a great weekend for the fairs eleventh outing and the many artists, bands and participants who made it such fun for everyone.

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