MAD SHEPHERDS AND BLACK SHEEP!
By Edna Branthwaite

 

At 1p.m. on Saturday 3rd December Egremont Parish Hall’s Christmas Fair, was opened by Copeland’s Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor John Jackson and his wife Linda.
The theme of the fair was ‘Sheep and Shepherds’ but these were like no animals and their minder’s you might have met while out fell walking! However, June Jenkinson, sheep farmer and churchwarden at Haile Church did her best to judge the fancy dress of those who had got into the spirit of things. Among the shepherds there was a Really Mad Shepherd (Reverend Richard Lee) and a Bad Shepherd (Fred Downton). A couple of little lambs strayed here and there while the Black Sheep (Doris Downton) was in charge of the cash and a Baa-rmy pink sheep (Lynn Trohear) was excellent at keeping everybody’s cup filled with tea or coffee.
A large flock of people seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves and the appetising homemade teas at £2.50 a time disappeared like snow off a dyke back.
Despite the straitened economic climate the event was very successful and people spent their money freely on the many interesting and inviting stalls. St. Mary’s and St. Michael’s Parish Church Funds are better off by a substantial sum and I think it is safe to say that ‘a good time was had by all.’