Sun shines on Primrose Hill Summer Fair

Published: 16 June 2011
by STEVE BARNETT

SUN-SOAKED revellers gathered in Chalcot Square on Saturday to enjoy the “carnival atmosphere” of the Primrose Hill Summer Fair.

Kicking off with a vibrant samba band, countless adults and children were entertained by live music and dancing as they explored a host of stalls and sideshows. 

There were amusement rides and the classic Punch and Judy show for youngsters, who also got the chance to put on their firefighter helmets and jump into a fire engine, thanks to the crew from Belsize Park fire station. 

Among the stallholders was James Leigh, whose Bring Back the Butterflies campaign is encouraging Camden residents to create habitats wherein nature can thrive. Talking about the newly formed project he said: “I got the idea when I was sitting in my garden and suddenly saw a butterfly drop dead in front of me.”

Among the more surreal guests was Miss Havisham, the wealthy spinster from Charles Dickens’ novel Great Expectations, who wandered around the fair in her wedding dress. 

The day was brought to a close by Jim Mulligan’s – former chairman of the Primrose Hill Community Association (PHCA) – renowned auction, which included a champagne breakfast for 10. PHCA manager Michael Hudspeth was delighted the day went to plan. “There was a real carnival atmosphere. The volunteers who helped organise the fair were second to none. It’s not a big commercial venture, but if we make money along the way than that’s great because we can put it back into community events.”