FAMILIES had a good couple of hours to celebrate England’s patron saint in Dorchester before the rains came.

The St George’s Day Fair, which has been held on Fordington Green in the shadow of St George’s Church since the Middle Ages, attracted hundreds of people and raised £3,000 for church funds.

But Saturday’s event had to be abandoned later when the heavens opened.

Churchwarden Margaret Morrissey from the events committee said it was a huge success up until the weather changed.

She said: “It went really well then about 3.15pm the heavens opened big time.

“It was unfortunate because it was just as the Dorchester Ballet Club started to perform. But they danced right through it while everyone else took cover and they were superb.

“We had to abandon it after that but a few activities continued in the church.”

The fair was opened by the Mayor of Dorchester, Tess James, who stayed throughout the afternoon.

Mrs Morrissey said: “It was very popular and we raised £3,000.

“There were many on the green and at the back of the church where we had the bouncy castle and skittles it was also full. As for the church hall where they were serving refreshments, there was a queue to get in.”

As well as the ballet club, the entertainment included the Durnovaria Silver Band, dancers from The Studio, Harmonious Funk Choir and singers from Manor Park First School.

There were stalls, raffles, games, face painting, tattoos, a bouncy castle, skittles, a hog roast, a Pimms tent, a Feed the Hungry Dragon game and a water pistol shoot-out. There were displays and choirs in the church and trips to the bell tower where people could have a go at ringing the bells.

MC Allen Knott took the microphone and held the event together while the Rev Richard Press led proceedings inside the church.

Planning the fair by the events committee led by Vernon Moffat takes almost a year as there is so much to arrange, said Mrs Morrissey.

She said the church bells would ring out today to mark St George’s Day.

She added: “To remember the patron saint is important particularly for the younger generation because it’s something to be proud of and to have ownership of.

“St George’s Fair is a community event and whether people are churchgoers or not they look upon it as their church.”