Tuesday, 9 October 2018

A First for Fairlynch Fancies in Budleigh's 2018 Carnival







The Fairlynch Fancies gather at The Hub, Budleigh Salterton

Sir Walter Raleigh inspired at least two participants in Budleigh Salterton’s 2018 Carnival, including a group of volunteers from the Museum.

Naturally we had the Great Elizabethan in mind for this year’s Carnival. So we were Queen Elizabeth I, a Lady-in-waiting, a Native American princess, a Potato, the Executioner - complete with bloodstained axe - Lady Raleigh, and Sir Walter himself, wearing cloak, pipe and pearl earring.  

We're known as the Fairlynch Fancies, and anyone can join.






























We're the museum volunteers and extroverts who are happy to shed our inhibitions and don whatever costume is appropriate for the occasion.



































Naturally, our Potato distributed crisps to the crowd! 























And of course Sir Walter did that thing with the cloak. 



























We came first in our class and were congratulated by the Mayor.

It was fun and the weather was perfect, unlike last year when we were almost blown off Coastguard Road.

Children, teachers and volunteers at Drake’s School in Raleigh’s home village of East Budleigh were also inspired by Sir Walter. 

‘We also had a potato, Sir Walt and Queen Elizabeth, also lots of pirates and one parrot and a few Tudor era people,’ pointed out village resident Jolanta Justyna KawaƂek. 

‘Not forgetting a magnificent ship!!!! We had a lovely time and won best local entry and second prize in our category.’

Complimenting the Fairlynch Fancies on their success, she added. ‘It's a great way to celebrate our famous Eastbudleighan.’  

So, with or without his head, Sir Walter is likely to be a regular at such local events.

FOR THE RALEIGH 400  CALENDAR OF EVENTS WORLDWIDE IN 2018 CLICK ON 







Remembrance of Raleigh in the city which bears his name




Above: The House of Representatives Chamber in the  North Carolina State Capitol

Even 400 years after his death, Sir Walter Raleigh continues to intrigue Americans as well as Britons, and especially in North Carolina.  Raleigh sponsored three expeditions to Roanoke colony in the 1580s, the earliest English attempt to settle North America.

In 1792, North Carolina’s legislature honoured this feat by naming the state’s new capital city for the explorer, soldier, and writer. Much later, two districts of the city were named Budleigh, after his home village, and Hayes Barton, after his birthplace.  

On Saturday, October 27, the State Capitol joined worldwide remembrances of Raleigh by showcasing demonstrations of Elizabethan-era life on the Capitol grounds from noon until 4.00 pm.  

Re-enactors, including a portrayal of Sir Walter himself, interacted with visitors and offered activities such as dance demonstrations, Elizabethan game play, a brass rubbing activity station, scriptorium activity station, and tailoring demonstrations. 

Inside the Capitol, visitors were invited to view a rare copy of a 1652 edition of The History of the World, written by Raleigh. The book was on short-term loan from the University of North Carolina Libraries at UNC Chapel Hill.  

At 3.00 pm, a formal ceremony commemorating Raleigh’s life and legacy was held in the historic House Chamber. North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall gave remarks, and dignitaries representing North Carolina and British organizations participated.   

This event was free and open to all. No reservations were necessary.  

FOR THE RALEIGH 400  CALENDAR OF EVENTS WORLDWIDE IN 2018 CLICK ON 





‘Drinks with Sir Walter Raleigh’ in North Carolina State Capitol





























The splendid surroundings of the historic State Capitol building, pictured above, were the setting for two events in October to commemorate the Great Elizabethan whose story is so closely linked to the founding of modern America.  


‘A Raleigh good time’ is what the organisers promised, with tickets at $25 per person. 
















A ticket gave people  the chance of ‘meeting’ Sir Walter as well as wine, appetizers and a special release beer aptly named True Britt, made by the Raleigh-based  Lonerider Brewing Company. 


The event, on Thursday 25 October from 7.00 to 9.00 pm  was co-sponsored by the Friends of the City of Raleigh Museum, the NC State Capitol Foundation, and the Triangle Chapter of the British American Business Council. 




‘Drinks with Sir Walter Raleigh’ in North Carolina State Capitol

The splendid surroundings of the historic State Capitol building, pictured above, ...






Raleigh the Peacemaker (1586)

  A copy, in All Saints' Church East Budleigh, of one of the best known portraits of Sir Walter formerly attributed to Zuccaro but now...