What a swell party that was!

For followers of the England football team, Saturday's 'Party in Grayshott' (PiG) was the perfect antidote to the disappointment of the World Cup quarterfinal result – and for all partygoers it proved to be eleven hours packed with fun and entertainment.

As the morning shoppers went about their business, there was little evidence of the treats in–store for the village of Grayshott later that day. Apart, that is, from a very large outdoors stage on Lyndon Green, complete with sound system & racks of lights. A sound-check around mid-morning reminded everyone that today was a special day. Debbie Cracknell, whose shop, Perfect Setting, is close to the green commented: 'We did have to re-arrange our window display because some of the more valuable china and other breakables shook rather dramatically when the PA system was first tested - but the effort involved was well worth it to be able to enjoy such a great day'.

By early afternoon there were noticeably greater numbers of people in the village, with a good sized audience being entertained in the garden of the Fox & Pelican public house by members of the Temperance Seven jazz band. Within ten minutes of the main road being closed at 2.00pm, however, the centre of the village was thronging with families all able to roam safely between the fun fair, stalls, street entertainers and other attractions. Before long the Hog Roast, BBQ's and other food stalls were doing a brisk trade that continued, unceasingly, until after dark.

First-up on the main stage were Grayshott's Primary School Choir, who gave an enchanting concert under the direction of their music teacher, Jonathan Brookes. The emphasis then switched as crowds moved to get a prime spot to view the carnival procession.

A Golden Carnival
Not surprisingly the theme chosen for the parade was the Jubilee and the lively procession, led by Miss Grayshott, Annice Ling and her Maid of Honour, Natasha Barnett, shimmered with gold throughout its length. First prize in the Best Child's Fancy Dress, sponsored by Print IT, went to Florence Jordan as a walking Jubilee Tea Party. Grayshott Beavers & Cubs won the Grayshott Pottery 'Best Children's Group Fancy Dress' class, with each individual in costume representing a different Commonwealth country. The 'Hill Road Golden Girls', all definitely golden but with some dubious looking girls, walked off with the prize for Best Adult's Fancy Dress, awarded by Brian Flounders Computers. Parish Councillor Peter Thompson, family and friends on a float entitled 'When Harry met Queenie' that won the Barons of Hindhead prize, brought a wizard idea to life!

A Touch of Caribbean Magic
The carnival atmosphere created by the procession lived on thanks to 'Sounds of Steel'. Winners of last years' Notting Hill Carnival Pan on the Road competition, this youth band from Porchester got everyone moving to the vibrant sound of steel drums. In keeping with the Party's goal of something for everyone, next on stage was 'For Your Eyes Only'; featuring Cardiff based magician and illusionist Chris Johnson, ably assisted by Claudine. He explained how he started: 'I was given a Paul Daniels magic set when I was eight. It just so happened that my grandmother's neighbour was an illusion builder and he spotted some natural talent and encouraged me.' Twenty years later Chris has just turned professional. He kept the audience enthralled and puzzled with three classic stage illusions incorporating escapology, levitation and sawing the lady in half, as well as mingling with the crowds performing close-up street magic and acting as master of ceremonies for the evening.

At this point Delta FM presenter Richard Wyeth announced the winners of the many stallholder competitions. Including that of the Elizabeth Fitzroy Support Birthday Cake. They were celebrating 40 years of providing support for adults with all forms of learning disability, so that they can develop to the best of their ability, make choices and take part in everyday life. Now a national charity, its roots lie in Grayshott because this is where its founder, Elizabeth Fitzroy, established her first centre following the purchase of Donec.

While front-of-house announcements were being made, back-stage there was more frenetic activity, setting up for a performance by the 20-piece Hampshire Youth Jazz Orchestra, or HYJO as they are known. Villagers James and Vicky Martin of Conference Dynamics volunteered to take on the onerous task of stage production. 'This is a very challenging event as there are 17 different performers over the course of the afternoon and evening' explained Vicky. 'To keep things flowing we have to do the changeovers in minutes, including moving equipment on and off the stage and setting up the instrument and vocal microphones'. In spite of all this, the big-band jazz music of HYJO went on right on cue. The audience were soon tapping their feet and swaying to highly polished renditions of popular work from greats such as Duke Ellington, Buddy Rich and Maynard Ferguson.

With the stage bathed in early evening sunshine, s session entitled 'Buskers Express' got underway. The driving forces behind Buskers Express are Mike Upjohn and Kwei Eden. For five years they have been staging events in venues such as the Mill Tavern in Haslemere, to give local talented musicians often their first opportunities to perform in front of live audiences. For 'PiG', as well as performing themselves, they arranged sessions by Elastic Band, Sunsoma, Floren Forenzo and Red Gecko playing a combination of original and covers to great applause from the appreciative crowd. Last in this session was 15-year-old vocalist Kate Smiley, with Paul Barnet on keyboards. This was by far the largest stage and biggest audience she had ever experienced as a soloist, but she showed no nerves and gave a performance that had many on their feet during the songs and as an ovation at the end.

'Rockin Grayshott' was the heading for the next series of performances, with all the groups having one or more members' as residents of the village. Kingskinz performed a selection of current rock numbers; Country from Foxy Sam and four decades of classic Rock & Roll, R&B and Pop from Advoc8, No Exit and The Replacements.

By now the summer sun had set and the festoons of coloured lights around the green shone brightly, with 1000's of white lights, normally reserved for display at Christmas, twinkling above them in the trees. But the temperature continued to rise as the audience danced to FailSafe playing a selection of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and other memorable rock tracks.

At 11.00pm Peter Hatch, Chairman of the PiG Organising Committee took to the stage to offer his appreciation to all the individuals and organisations without whose help it would not have been possible to stage the community event. On behalf of the crowd, he also thanked the sponsors that included East Hampshire District Council, Barons of Hindhead, Grayshott Pottery, Print IT and the Fox & Pelican whose financial contributions meant that the event was free for all to attend and would raise money for local projects and other worthy causes. He then made way for the final act, the Strolling Players, who, with their loyal supporters cheering them on wildly, proceeded to bring the musical entertainment to a tumultuous conclusion with an exciting mix of Jam, Ska and other 'mod' favourites.

Volleys of fireworks signalled the end of the event and the time for happy partygoers to wend their way home. It was also the signal for the 'clean-up' helpers, with Jackie Arthur to the fore, to swing into action. So contentious and effective were these volunteers that it has prompted comments from local residents that the area is now cleaner than before!

It will be some weeks before the final fund-raising position is known, but judging by the numbers and comments of those who were there, 'Party in Grayshott' 2002 was a resounding success.

Submitted by Brian Archer 3rd July 2002