MORE than 20 years after starting out, a Dorset village’s Victorian themed fayre still has the magic touch to bring in the crowds.

Sutton Poyntz’s Victorian Street Fayre bustled with visitors enjoying music, food, games and stalls on Sunday.

The event, which has been held every two years since 1994, has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for a range of charities.

In 2014, they netted £20,000 from the fayre and this year visitors braved intermittent showers to help repeat the success.

Guy Bridge took over as chairman of the fayre’s committee in 2002.

He said: “Villagers get involved and dress up which creates something quite unique.

“We are so well supported by local people, local businesses and the pub - they’re all a great help to us.

“It’s the good mix of stalls and things to do that makes us the money that we give to charity.

“It’s just a real family event.

“Doing it every two years makes the people that live in the village more enthusiastic for it.

“The setting is fantastic and it’s not too wet so the day is turning out very well.”

Much of the money they raise goes to Water Aid, a charity chosen because of the help the fayre’s organisers get in putting on the spectacle from Wessex Water.

This year one of the main projects the fair will help fund is a defibrillator for the village.

Donna Merry came with her family from Portland to be at the street fayre.
She said: “The three kids love it. We come here nearly every time.

“My husband is part of the Nothe Fort Artillery that are doing a display.

“It’s a nice day out with music, food and entertainment for the kids.”

Ellen Jackson came from Weymouth to the event.

She said: “We find it really enjoyable and every time it’s on I get as many relatives as I can down here because it’s one of those events that you can take the kids and the dogs to.”

Oliver Stanton said: “This is my first time at the fayre.

“I just saw it in the paper and thought we would come and see what it was all about - everyone kept saying it was quite good.

“It’s very well organised for one day, and the money raised goes to a good cause.

“They keep it very traditional and don’t fill it with junk.

“All the kids are enjoying it.”

The Weymouth East Scout Troop came out to take part in the festivities, hosting a teddy bear zipline over the river and a darts game.

Their leader Terry Sherman said: “The zipline was brought up in a meeting and we thought we would give it a go.

“We got the wire at trade price from Bussells in Weymouth.

“We are lucky that the weather seems to be holding out today.

“The village fayre is really good - great fun all for charity.

“Sutton Poyntz is a nice community that does its own thing.”