Green Fayre - FREE family fun in Dane Park Margate

Schools Day 16th May 2008

Public Day Saturday 17th May 2008

An estimated 3,000 people turned out over the weekend (Saturday 17 May) to enjoy the Green Fayre in Dane Park, Margate, organised by the Safer Stronger Communities Fund (SSCF).

The Green Fayre is the UK’s first nationally touring solar powered circus and was in the park for a two days. Over 1,100 children and teachers enjoyed the Fayre on Friday and were entertained by clowning “Strawberry Jam” and “Professor Kayoss”, who both explained the complex issues around climate change and the things we can all do to reduce it, in a fun way.

Open to the public on the Saturday, an estimated 2,000 people turned out despite torrential downpours to enjoy the free circus shows and workshops, where they found out about projects and groups who have benefited from SSCF.

Thanet District Council’s Waste and Recycling team, who have benefited from an SSCF-funded new freighter, were on hand to promote recycling, through advice, games, key ring and badge making. Younger visitors to the Fayre joined in the sport activities provided by Thanet District Council, played cricket with Margate Cricket Club and cage football with Pipeline. They could also make rap music with Pie Factory Music in their new mobile music unit. All these groups have gained SSCF funding.

The event was funded by the Safer Stronger Communities Fund (SSCF), which aims to transform the wards of Cliftonville West and Margate Central and the green space of Dane Park, by improving the quality of life for those who live and work in these areas.

Carla Wenham-Jones SSCF Programme Manager said: “The Green Fayre gave school children and residents a day of fun at the circus in our already popular Dane Park. The Fayre was an excellent way to showcase the investment that SSCF and Thanet District Council have made in Dane Park on behalf of the Margate Civic Society and to find out what residents think of the improvements, which have been made to the lighting, seating, play areas and kiosk and picnic area. The SSCF exhibition tent at the Fayre allowed people to find out more about the projects, including those run by local clubs, groups and residents that have been funded by the SSCF over the past two years.”

What was available at the Green Fayre Event?

The Green Fayre provided local school children and residents green-themed family entertainment which included:

Circus shows with clowning "Strawberry Jam" and "Professor Kayoss"
A circus skills workshop where children could “come and have a go” at stilt walking, juggling, plate balancing and much more
Life size exhibits of inflatable whales, dolphins and porpoises
Transport display – electric car, bicycles and tricycles
Renewable energy display
Scrap-store tent – make something out of waste!
Solar-powered fountain
Solar-powered Victorian merry-go-round

Sport and other activities were available for younger visitors as detailed above.

A Safer Stronger Communities Fund tent housed an exhibition of projects and local groups who had benefitted from SSCF funding, which included: