Sheep fair raises the baa (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Hundreds enjoy unique Overton fair

11:00am Friday 20th July 2012 in Local By Emily Roberts, Chief Reporter

IT might only happen once every four years, but villagers in Overton think it’s certainly worth waiting for.

Hundreds of people braved the miserable weather to enjoy the entertainment at the fourth Overton Sheep Fair.

The whole of Winchester Street was closed for last weekend’s event so stalls could set up along the road, and performers could entertain the crowds.
The theme this year was ‘Celebrating an era of change – 1940-1952’, and many villagers dressed in appropriate attire, wearing clothes from the period, or donning outfits of famous people alive at that time.

Famous Winston Churchill lookalike Derek Herbert officially opened the Sheep Fair, and later gave the historic Battle of Britain speech to an amused audience. The 62-year-old was accompanied by bodyguard David Yardley, from Overton.

In St Luke’s Hall, children enjoyed craft activities, including making sheep masks using cotton wool.
 

Also in the hall were Testbourne Community School pupils, raising money for their trip to a school in Uganda next year. The team has set itself the challenge of cycling the distance between Overton and Uganda on a static machine.
Tom Wheeler, 15, from Overton, said: “It’s 4,019.33 miles. We started a month ago and we have done 836 miles so far. It’s a long way.”

Jody Scheckter, owner of Laverstoke Park Farm, brought along a team of staff to sell burgers and spit roast.
He told The Gazette: “It’s a great event and gets better every year.” Mr Scheckter was also offering samples of his new yoghurt, which is made at the farm, for people to try.