THIS year’s Marhamchurch Revel kicked off on the evening of Sunday, August 18 with a revel pub quiz held at The Bullers Arms.

It was fabulously attended and set everyone up ready for the main day! The sun shone on revel day this year and organisers were blessed with an enormous crowd of revellers to watch the royalty crowning at the war memorial by St Marwenne’s Church, and then onto the revel field for fun and games. This year’s revel royalty were Pearl Tomlin, revel queen; Fin Rice, marshal; Tommy James, page; Issie Waterton, flower girl; Lucy Martin, Millie Symm, Megan Colwill, Taryn Cartmell, Evie Becker and Sophie Goodgroves, maids.

Entertainment throughout was ably provided by All @ C ukulele band who definitely set the right note of jollity over proceedings. There was the usual games — crockery smash, coconut shy, tomobola — as well as an impressively bumper crop of bric-a-brac and delicious cakes sold by the Marhamchurch WI were all thoroughly enjoyed, along with the bouncy castle, Scouts hotdog stall and the ice creams which sold out in record time!

The highlight of the afternoon on the revel field was undoubtedly Jonathan Marshall’s display with Amadeus, the black stallion, and Duchess the falcon, who wowed the appreciative crowd.

Following a great afternoon on the revel field, there were high expectations for the pram race. However, the evening certainly didn’t disappoint — the prams and carts were decorated to an amazing standard and finely constructed. Despite the request not to throw water bombs, the crowds turned up with super soakers and buckets of water, which made the event as much fun, if not more fun!

The best decorated pram in the junior race was a fire truck, by Owen, Rhys, Lincoln and Reuben, with super soaker hosepipe and siren, which kept the crowd on their toes and won the race as well! Second place in both the race and the best decorated pram was Finley and his team of Pygmy Warriors, and in a close third place were the Flintstones, Jack and Gabe.

In the adult event, five teams battled for recognition. Grease Lightning wowed the crowd with their spectacular pram and costumes — the Hunts, the Wards and friends achieved first prize in the decoration event and came a worthy third in the race. Kevin and Chris came second in the decorated pram and completed the race in their very cool Cool Runnings pram. Third in the best decorated event were Mark and Emma with Toy Story, tempting the crowds with a Buzz Lightyear water gun, and completed the course too. MHS Big Beach (the slightly younger Wards and friends) won the overall race with their carefully crafted pram, and second in the race with their sleek entry were Emma and Paul in their Marhamchurch Bobsleigh.

It was another fantastic year for the pram race — great fun for the competitors and the crowds of onlookers alike. Super soakers are actively encouraged — whether competing or spectating, the event is not for the faint hearted.

Rachel Wilce from the Marhamchurch Revel committee said: “Thank you to all who worked, helped and attended this year’s revel. All the monies raised go to village good causes and are much appreciated throughout the year.

“A huge thanks goes to the Bullers Arms for providing the refreshments for the competitors, judges, all the marshals and helpers, and Bill Kneebone for keeping everyone on their toes with his amusing commentary.

“Please could everyone who attends in future years not bring water bombs of any sort as these do hurt and can cause injury, this is alongside the concerns for plastic waste.”