A RECORD crowd turned out in the sunshine on Sunday to enjoy the annual Fernhurst Revels, with visitors coming from far and wide to enjoy the traditional crowning of the May Queen on the village green followed by an action-packed afternoon.

This year’s inspirational royal is Naomi Braithwaite, who is a brand ambassador for Full Circle charity which provides complementary therapies for seriously ill children in hospital. She also took part in the BBC BAFTA award winning series I Can’t Go To School Today, describing what it was like to be diagnosed and treated for cancer.

Following Naomi’s colourful procession through the village, accompanied by her attendants Jasmine Brimacombe, Olivia Orange and Zoe Riley, her path to the throne was scattered with flowers and Fernhurst vicar the Rev Nick Haigh led the May Day prayer, before former queen Jenny Melia crowned her successor.

Visitors were then teated to a ceremonial fight in which St George, aka Teyen Morrin, defended the queen by fighting Harry Conley-Harper, who played the Dragon, before Fernhurst Primary School pupils danced around the May Pole.

The theme for this year’s fancy dress competition was favourite pantomime characters. As always, the fun dog show was a popular highlight, and younger visitors took part in the children’s races and watched Professor Dill’s Punch and Judy show.

Special guests in the veteran, vintage and classic cars display, were a select group of Haslemere Hares parked up in a vintage Peugeot pick-up.

Further afternoon entertainments included a falconry display, Tom’s Talking Reptiles, archery by the Petersfield Bowmen and live music by George’s Coastline Jazz Band and South Downs Ukelele Orchestra. There was also a host of stalls for the public to view while raffles and a silent auction helped to swell the total amount raised for village organisations, clubs and societies.

Revels committee chairman Heather Bicknell, whose husband ’Bic’ was the Punch and Judy bouncer, said: "I think The Queen must have ordained the amazing sunshine at the Royal wedding on Saturday, for the whole weekend.

"It was a brilliant day and we had a record crowd.

"The whole bottom half of the recreation ground was full of cars and visitors came not only from Fernhurst but much further afield.

"I think we have raised more than last year and all the money will go back to the village.

"I saw some Ugly Sisters and quite a few Peter Pans and the children loved the falconry display, they lay on the ground and an owl flew right over them and I saw one child with one of Tom’s large snakes wrapped round them.

" I’m really impressed with all the hard work done by my committee. Many thanks to all involved."

A RECORD crowd turned out in the sunshine on Sunday to enjoy the annual Fernhurst Revels, with visitors coming from far and wide to enjoy the traditional crowning of the May Queen on the village green followed by an action-packed afternoon.

This year’s inspirational royal is Naomi Braithwaite, who is a brand ambassador for Full Circle charity which provides complementary therapies for seriously ill children in hospital. She also took part in the BBC BAFTA award winning series I Can’t Go To School Today, describing what it was like to be diagnosed and treated for cancer.

Following Naomi’s colourful procession through the village, accompanied by her attendants Jasmine Brimacombe, Olivia Orange and Zoe Riley, her path to the throne was scattered with flowers and Fernhurst vicar the Rev Nick Haigh led the May Day prayer, before former queen Jenny Melia crowned her successor.

Visitors were then teated to a ceremonial fight in which St George, aka Teyen Morrin, defended the queen by fighting Harry Conley-Harper, who played the Dragon, before Fernhurst Primary School pupils danced around the May Pole.

The theme for this year’s fancy dress competition was favourite pantomime characters. As always, the fun dog show was a popular highlight, and younger visitors took part in the children’s races and watched Professor Dill’s Punch and Judy show.

Special guests in the veteran, vintage and classic cars display, were a select group of Haslemere Hares parked up in a vintage Peugeot pick-up.

Further afternoon entertainments included a falconry display, Tom’s Talking Reptiles, archery by the Petersfield Bowmen and live music by George’s Coastline Jazz Band and South Downs Ukelele Orchestra. There was also a host of stalls for the public to view while raffles and a silent auction helped to swell the total amount raised for village organisations, clubs and societies.

Revels committee chairman Heather Bicknell, whose husband ’Bic’ was the Punch and Judy bouncer, said: "I think The Queen must have ordained the amazing sunshine at the Royal wedding on Saturday, for the whole weekend.

"It was a brilliant day and we had a record crowd.

"The whole bottom half of the recreation ground was full of cars and visitors came not only from Fernhurst but much further afield.

"I think we have raised more than last year and all the money will go back to the village.

"I saw some Ugly Sisters and quite a few Peter Pans and the children loved the falconry display, they lay on the ground and an owl flew right over them and I saw one child with one of Tom’s large snakes wrapped round them.

" I’m really impressed with all the hard work done by my committee. Many thanks to all involved."