The May Day Fayre at Collier Wood

The Journey
As we have had two weeks off work and gardened for all but one of them we thought on our last day that we deserved and break and when Matt and Rebecca invited us to visit and go to the Morden Hall May Day Country Fayre, how could we possibly resist.

Forecast was for rain all day and in fact it did rain all night, evidenced by the cats muddy paw prints all over the beige carpet and Spikey jumping on the bed in the middle of the night soaking wet. By 10 am it was sunny so off we went.

So far so good until we got to Basingstoke railway station to find a bus replacement service to Woking. So we cunningly thought we would drive ourselves to Woking rather than take the bus. All well as good as far as Ash, where the signs for Woking stop, so it took us nearly an hour. Eventually got there the joyous news that parking is free on Bank Holidays unlike at Basingstoke where it would have cost us £4.80.

Good news, a train leaving in 8 minutes, time go grab a cup of coffee and get the lift to platform 2. The slowest lift ever meant that we got to the train door as the guard blew his whistle at us (very rudely, I thought). No problem, 3 minutes later on was leaving from platform 1. How naive we were, it we thought the lift to platform 2 was slow, the lift to platform 1 was slower, so deja vu, another guard with another whistle. Back to platform 2 (slowly) and a 20 minute wait for another train.

Hurray, we arrived at Waterloo having a pleasant ride in First Class. Note of explanation here: If South West Trains mess my journey about, I believe in claiming compensation by positioning myself in First Class, they don't seem to mind and I refuse to move, so we have a mutual understanding.

Just our luck again, the west branch of the Northern line closed. Drat! Another detour needed so back up above ground to phone Rebecca to say we would get a train to Wimbledon so tried to get a refund on Nick's underground ticked to be told that we could go to Elephant and Castle and then the east branch to Colliers Wood. Ah cunning. Down we go and get to Colliers Wood to find that Matt and Rebecca had very sweetly got a bus to Wimbledon to meet us. Bless! Waited for them to come back and here we go on our great day out.

The way to the show
You would not believe that you were in London, just a few yards from the tube station and you are in the countryside. Find out more about Colliers Wood.

First stop was Abbey Mills - craft village on the site of the William Morris fabric mills.

Then a short walk to Dean City Farm - An inner city farm with everything for adults (and children) including vegetable growing

Birdlife included ducks, geese, and peacocks. The albino peacock certainly knew how to work the crowd.






Animals were horses, cows, sheet, goats and alpaca. Food 50p a box and woth every penny (I think they thought so too).









At the show
Leaving the farm we headed off along the river bank, it was so tranquil and relaxing. The ornotholigists among us recognised the call of the parrot in high in the trees on the other side of the river. There are large colonies of parrots living wild in London, not the cage bird that we think of but excapese of old who have breed and made homes in the green areas.

More bird excitement on the way back from the show when Matt spotted a Kingfisher. Beautiful specimen with iridescent blue on the back and red on the front, you can see why the fish come to the surface for a look.

The show was held at Morden Hall Park, beautiful park and wetland area owned and maintained by The National Trust. We timed it well as the families with children who had bought blow up hammers seemed to be leaving after lunch. We decided to give the fair a miss and headed for the craft tents. Five in total packed with stalls of food, clothing, jewellery, toys, you name it, it was there.

We managed to resist except, a pot of olives, pot of garlic and a bag of honey fudge. Nick made the mistake of asking the bee-keeper a question, at least this gave the rest of us a chance to sit down whilst he was given the life story of a bee.

We arrived at the main arena in time for the Morris Dancers. A jolly good show it was as well. You couldn’t resist clapping and jigging along.





We were all ready for a rest and a wonderful picnic, provided by our hosts, was taken under the trees, accompanied by a pint of the finest Hampshire Cider. There were five to choose from and it was only polite to try all five before choosing which one to have.

While eating we watched the single guage railway which, for £1, took you 50 yardss along the track and then reversed 50 yards to the ‘station’.

Then off again to the plants, the animals and fortuitously arrived just in time for the sheet sheering. A great display by seven native sheep varieties and then the sheering. A few children almost lost fingers or got a hoof in the head when they were trying to catch the bits of falling wool, but another great show.

I now have to confess to not keeping this in chronological order as I had to save the best til last. Donna Marie.




No May Day Fayre should be without a May Pole and we were lucky enough to witness the May Queen herself. I think she is only let out of fairyland once a year and, can you believe it, she was here in Collier Wood. I have never seen anybody with so much enthusiasm and energy. Believe me, behind that long, blond, crimped hair, she was not a youngster, but she could pull the crowd. In fact she scared a lot of the crowd, particularly the ‘shy-boy’ who may not have slept since.
An English Country Garden will never sound the same again.

It truly was a wonderful May Day and one to be remembered for years to come.



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