A seaside festival – with bells on

Dancers and music-makers from all over the country gathered in Sheringham for the annual Potty Festival.

The Holt Ridge Morris, who hosted the event, led the Saturday parade through the town with Spike the Dragon, followed by a record number of dancers and musicians in traditional make-up and costumes.

Performances were held at various spots around the town and this year there was a new one on the esplanade to cope with all the groups taking part.

Hundreds of people enjoyed the festival, including visitors from Sheringham’s twin town, Otterndorf, who were there on an exchange trip.

Children from Holt Primary School also enjoyed taking part as Holt Ridge members have been going into the school to teach them a few steps and songs.

They danced as the Holt Ridge Half Pints in costumes provided by the Potty Committee, which organises the annual festival.

In addition to the dancers, the Sheringham Shantymen played in the Arena at lunchtime, raising money for the Venezualan Earthquake Crisis.

At the Plaza, the Shanty Sirens also provided a tuneful accompaniment to lunch. They were collecting for breast cancer charities.

After the displays finished for the day, the dancers were ferried back to Kelling Heath, where they enjoyed a ceilidh organised by the Potty Committee.

The caller was Ollie Simons and the band Thoroughfare provided the music.

There was more dancing in Sheringham on the Sunday as well as the drawing of the Potty Lotty. The winner gave their £50 prize back to the festival to add to the money raised.

The festival ended with massed dancing, and the last dance was saved for Holt Ridge before the festival was formally closed for the year.

Lyn Reid, from Holt Ridge Morris, said: “We enjoyed amazing weather over the weekend – not too hot, not wet, and with the right amount of refreshing breeze for the dancers, musicians and those who worked tirelessly throughout to ensure the safe, smooth running of both days.

“A huge thank you to the wonderful volunteers of Sheringham who marshalled at road closures, ran the first aid tent, waved collection buckets and collected donations for our programmes and badges; the businesses who advertised with us; and the Sheringham Carnival Committee who collaborated with us on the applications and paperwork we need to submit.”

The committee is already working on next year’s event, so watch this space.