THURROCK'S biggest family event returns to the village of Horndon on the Hill next month.

Following a two-year hiatus due to the Covid 19 pandemic, the event is back for the weekend of June 25 and 26 and the voluntary organisers hope the streets of the village will be crammed with craft and charity stalls.

Nigel Sergent, from the organising committee, told Thurrock Nub News: "After a two-year break, we hope lots of stallholders will take the opportunity to return to our village and make the most of everything Feast & Fayre has to offer.

"As in the past, we have a fantastic line of entertainment, and we hope lots of traditional craftspeople, charities and specialist food suppliers will book stalls and line the roads with an array of attractions."

Feast & Fayre has been running in Horndon since the seventies but its origins date back to the days of the Magna Carta when King John gave the village special permission to stage a feast every year. 

Highlights of the rejuvenated Feast & Fayre will include:

An opening procession

A land 'junior boat race' along the High Road staged by Horndon Scouts

The much-loved Horndon 10k organised by Thurrock Harriers on Sunday which has already sold out

The annual tug of war between The Bell and The Swan

Live performances by the Complete Commedia Company

Given the history of the event, the organising committee have agreed that 'Merrie England' will be an ongoing theme moving forward and this year it will take a Royal twist in recognition of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, which will be celebrated in the village two weeks before the event.

For the first time in its history, The Complete Commedia Company, as part of the Jubilee celebrations, has been awarded funds from Arts Council England to provide two days of continuous street theatre and an evening performance during Feast & Fayre.

"Each day a local school will provide performances to friends, family and residents, providing the opportunity to celebrate their school achievements and spread the joy that theatre can provide," said founder Bernadette Wakeling. 

"At 7pm on Saturday, 25 June, when all the crowds have gone home, The Company will perform "A Midsummer Night's Jubilee" outdoors to all the locals. It will be the first performance of its kind, but we hope it will be the first of many. The performance aims to create a community theatre activity that is family friendly and free at the point of delivery."  

To book a stall at the 2022 Feast & Fayre email [email protected]