THE PEOPLE of Malmesbury turned out for a second weekend in a row to celebrate one of the town’s famous sons.

Last weekend hundreds of people flocked to Cross Hayes for the Eclipse balloon celebrations that commemorated Walter Powell.

This bank holiday Monday residents came out to the annual medieval fair to honour St Aldhelm.

Fran Vandelli, deputy mayor and organiser of the fair, said: “Lots of people braved the rain and people enjoyed the archery in particular.

“A good time was had by all, lots of people ate lots of food.

“It would’ve been better if we had some sunshine but people still came out and children dressed up.

“Several charities did well which was really important and Tony McAleavy’s talk was really well attended and very successful.

“We had nine squaddies from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers who were absolutely fabulous, they helped out all day from the set up at 8.30am until 4pm in the afternoon." 

Mayor Wayne Jones said: “It was really good until the heavens opened.

“Lots of people came, it was very well attended and the rain didn’t really dampen the spirits of people taking part.

“We had a couple of demonstrations from the Malmesbury Morris dancers and we also had solo piece from a lutist who played in the Market Cross.

"There was a range of stalls also in the Market Cross and a range of children’s activities in the Cloister Gardens including the champion of the longbow where people could have a go at shooting a bow and arrow, that was very popular.”