BIDEFORD FAIR - A BIDEFORD TOWN COUNCIL EVENT

🐑 Why Are Sheep Crossing Bideford’s Historic Bridge?

If you see sheep making their way across Bideford Long Bridge, you’re witnessing a tradition that dates back hundreds of years.

Historically, livestock such as sheep were regularly driven through towns and across bridges on their way to market. In Bideford, the Long Bridge formed an essential crossing point on local droving routes, meaning flocks would once have been a familiar sight as farmers moved animals between farms and market towns.

The  Sheep Drive planned on the 8th August   is a ceremonial re-creation of this historic practice. The flock will be carefully guided across the bridge, not for trade, but to mark and celebrate the town’s heritage. (This event is planned to start just after  10am on the 8th August .)

The event is organised by the Institute of Shearers and Weavers, who hold the traditional rights to drive sheep across the bridge. These historic rights reflect the long-standing importance of sheep farming and the wool trade to the area, and allow the Institute to continue this symbolic act as a way of keeping local rural customs alive.

📍 What to expect on the day:

• A managed flock of sheep being driven across the bridge

• Temporary pauses to allow the drive to pass safely

• A rare opportunity to see a historic rural tradition brought back to life

See a video from the last Sheep Drive over Bideford Old Bridge here: https://nor01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2Fl2FGXS7xLhA%3Fsi%3DLd-k-MDr9YLtxEDf&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cfe677fa4b5654079dff208de52c9fb88%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639039224638388771%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=5W2ZToRg1drZgSXm7zGtFUkD0Wwa2iE0TwUObF1yzgs%3D&reserved=0

We are super excited to announce that James Prestwood Flyboard Displays will be joining us for Bideford Fair and  The Mayor's Parade on Saturday 8th August. 

Times TBC - more info to follow soon. This is something not to be missed!!! We can't wait!!! Follow this event page to keep up to date.

Description about flyboard

A flyboard rider stands on a board with his feet strapped into boots, which is connected to a 23 metre hose (75ft). The other end of this hose connects to a 300 horse power jet ski which has a dual impeller. With this power, the jet ski can push the board up to heights off 18 metres (60ft) in the air. When you see me flyboarding, you will probably notice that there is no one on the jet ski, that is because I have a remote control in my hand which I am controlling the throttle on the jet ski from in the air. Examples of some of the tricks that I will be performing at your boat show are: various types of back flips (including doubles), spins, twists, supermans, dolphin dives, slaloms.

About Me 

James has been Flyboarding for around 9 years, mainly in the summer because off the weather. 

James first seen the flyboard when he was in Ibiza watching the late Avicii and didn’t really know what it was, so after realising that you need a jet ski to pump the water up he decided to buy a jet ski and flyboard kit and it all went from there. 

James first got  asked to do a small show in his local town Torquay,  then working his way up to performing at Southampton boat show which is the biggest boat show in England. 

James has done many shows all over the country including Bristol harbour festival, Dartmouth regatta, Gloucester tall ships, Torbay air show and even doing shows several times in Ireland. He has also trained in Malta. 

You will also see James dressing up in many different costumes such as James Bond where’s Wally, a sailor and even Spider-Man may make an appearance once in awhile

The Jetski that you see James using is burning approx 1 Litre  of fuel every minute he is flying which makes it incredibly expensive to run not to mention insure and maintain. 

James also  has a business called sports lighting which is with his dad, which specialise in LED floodlighting all over the country for any sorts of applications, such as  football pitches, rugby, tennis courts, etc 

If you would like to see more off what James does on the flyboard then please check out his Instagram page James Prestwood,  also seen on his flags around the event

Don’t miss Bideford Fair Dog Show!!

Bideford Fair and The Mayor’s Parade - Saturday 8th August

Come down to the Arena from 12:10 and get ready to show your four-legged friends in the arena at 12:30 - participants will be invited to take part in one or more of the six categories. There is no charge to enter. 

Prizes for: 

🐶 The Waggiest Tail

🐶Most Handsome

🐶Best Rescue

🐶Looks Most Like Their Owner

🐶Prettiest Dog 

🐶Coolest Pup

Be sure to see the Mayor's Parade - Saturday 8th August  - starting at Bideford Town Hall at 10.45am, the Parade will head across Allhalland Street, stopping so Town Crier can make a Proclamation, then move along Mill Street, stopping so Town Crier can make a Proclamation, then heading down Cooper Street to Jubilee Square, stopping so Town Crier can make a Proclamation, before processing along the Quay to Victoria Park, with the parade headed by Bideford Town Band. Once in Victoria Park  the Mayor's Party will stand on the Dais. Then all of the participating military groups will pass the Mayor's Party and Salute them. 

See last years photo here to give you an idea of what happens!

Welly Wanging! 11.15 am - come down and join the fun!

Bideford Fair and  The Mayor's Parade.

Saturday 8th August

Victoria Park, Bideford

There will be space for Classic Cars and Bikes at Bideford Fair and  The Mayor's Parade.

Saturday 8th August 

11am - 4pm

Please comment if you would like to attend the event or email lucyloweevents@outlook.com