Take Me To The Fair: What Was Buckham Fair Like?

Podcast Portwenn goes off-script for a special episode and the video version is not to be missed.  Over the last few months, Chesla invited you to donate to Buckham Fair, a fundraiser for the Dorset County Hospital's Emergency and Critical Care unit hosted by Martin Clunes and Philippa Braithwaite. You requested an update on how it went, so here it is.  This year's fair raised roughly £138,000!So why would three Americans fly across an ocean for a fair benefiting a UK hospital they will HOPEFULLY never use? Chesla, Chris, and new friend Janice dig into it: the pull of Dorset's countryside, the chance to say thank you in person, and, for Chris and Chesla, the anchor event in a larger Dorset trip.There's plenty of Martin Clunes and Neil Morrissey face time too. Both judged the fair's dog show categories (Fluffiest & Scruffiest, Best Six Legs, and yes, a "dog who looks most like Neil Morrissey" class), and the group compares the stiff, dog-averse Martin Ellingham of the show to the very real Martin Clunes getting mobbed by his own on-set dogs Chicken (real name Taffy) and Paddy.  Chesla also fesses up to an accidental goosing of Martin during a photo opportunity.  And in front of her own husband!  Sorry Martin!  Setup days get their due too — tent stakes in drought-hard ground, zip-tied dog fencing, and a crash course in reading instructions.Once it's running, the group walks through the scale of the thing: nine dog rings, a heavy horse display including Martin's Clydesdales, a horse trainer (Ben Atkinson) whose methods leave a lasting impression, and the Lamb National — a butcher-sponsored obstacle race of lambs, then kids, then adults, then one very fast sheepdog.  And that’s just a subset!The episode closes on a Tombola raffle gone sideways, which somehow ends with Chesla going home with a cowboy hat donated by Martin. Photo credits go to friends Simo (Martin Clunes Art Project), Janice, Marisa, Chris, and Chesla whose photos and sketches show up throughout.If you weren't able to donate before the fair wrapped, it’s not too late to donate directly to Dorset County Hospital Emergency and Critical Care Fund: https://dchcharity.org.uk/[00:00] Introduction to Buckham Fair and Its Purpose[01:58] Why Fly from the US to England for a Fair?[06:06] What We Would Have Told Philippa[07:00] Late to the Party with Martin, Philippa, and Buffalo Pictures[09:49] Getting There, and First Impressions of Dorset[13:52] Getting Into the Fair Itself, Including Volunteering[18:10] What Is It Like?[18:38] Horses[21:49] Dogs[26:07] Ellingham vs. Clunes with Dogs[28:56] Oops!  Thank Goodness for Senses of Humor[30:56] Nine! Dog Rings[32:36] Other Events[36:33] Heavy Horses Showing Versatility[38:41] Patrick[40:58] Experiences at the Fair[41:43] It's a Small World[42:24] A LOT of Money[43:02] Swag and the Tomb (really, the Tombola)[45:35] Rides[45:58] New Friendships - One of the Best Partshttps://www.facebook.com/FayeNealPhotographyBen Atkinson’s Horses:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100044425269749Note that some photos and events described were part of set up, tear down, and sponsor benefits.