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The Spring Bank Holiday weekend saw a brand new Island event being introduced to the agenda. On Sunday May 24th the Isle of Wight Community Renaissance Festival invited visitors to step back in time and enjoy a traditional village fayre as it would have appeared way back in yester-year!

This was highly original take on what we now consider to be an ‘Island show,’ with all the stalls, catering outlets, activities and arena acts taking on a completely different stance to reflect a much earlier period in time only now typically experienced through books and film. Smallbrook Stadium in Ryde was transformed into a traditional English village, with the ‘local people’ adorned in authentic century medieval and Tudor dress, including pirates and peasants, wenches and wizards.

Upon entering the gates and joining the community, visitors were able to experience traditional theatre, dance, music and a whole range of entertainment throughout the day. This included theatrical performances by the Ad Lib theatre, the Apollo Juniors and Mark Tuckey’s Ghost Experience, Caterbury Tales, Georgette and the dragon, flaming swords and ghostly stories. There was ale a’ plenty at the Mallishag Tavern, traditional hog roast and sweetie stall for those seeking refreshment whilst relaxing in the spring sunshine to the sound of live bands Acoustic Smoke and Mirrors, the Lost Years Trio and Renaissance and acoustic Buskers and Recorder Consort performing nearby.

Younger visitors were well catered for in Kids Kingdom, which was filled to the brim with fun activities including foam sword fighting, juggling, stilt walking, storytelling and much more besides. Adults were also encouraged to join in with the pre-summer festivities by testing their strength in a tug-of-war match, getting fit in the Isle of Hula hoola hoop workshops and proving that they were game for a laugh with the stocks and sponges!

The Isle of Wight Community Renaissance Festival was an entirely voluntary run event with all production members, participants, entertainers and site crew giving their time and skills completely free of charge for the greater benefit of the community. The £3000-worth of profits raised were split equally between the Earl Mountbatten Hospice, The Isle of Wight branch of the National Autistic Society, IOW Lions Groups and the Ryde East Community Association. 

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