Barnard Castle Meet organisers get ready for fun-packed weekend

With good, warm weather forecast organisers of Barnard Castle Meet are preparing for a fun-packed, fantastic Whitsun weekend.

Finishing touches to a music and dance themed programme were added when the Meet committee met this week.

As an added bonus, Copley weatherman Ken Cook predicts some good weather. He expects sunshine, showers and warmer weather. He added that some models, but not all, predict plenty of sun and not much rain.

Bumper crowds are expected at this year’s event, thanks to a good response to the Meet’s social media presence.

Tom Howe, who runs the Meet social media, said: “Hopefully, we can get more footfall this year – our social media has had a big outreach where in the past month we have had 120,000 views.”

Colin Glasper from the committee said that along with regular trophies for dressed windows, there will be three new prizes for people to compete for.

They include the Denny Raine Trophy for the group or person who creates the most fun during the fancy dress parade, the Angela Grady Trophy for the best in show during the pet show, and the Scouse Griffiths

Trophy for the best youth band.

Shop window displays have been put together this week and a Meet exhibition at The Witham opened yesterday.

There will be a wide range of catering on the lower Demesnes over the weekend, including Halls Bakers on Saturday, providing refreshments after the parkrun, and over the three days, there will be Crown Outdoors, DDC Events Catering (Shawarma), Fired and Sliced, Barista Sisters and Wonderful Whippy.

Meet programme

Saturday, May 23

• All day: TCR craft activities; Lions Club traditional games; three fairground rides
• 9am: parkrun; car boot sale
• 11am: Pet show; 1pm: dog agility
• 1pm: Live music with open mic run by Crash Jones and Harry the Sax between acts. 1pm, Affinity Choir; 1.30pm, Noctambulant; 2.30pm, M&S; 4pm, Mint Jams; 5.30 Making Plans; 7pm, (headliners) Channel 4 News Team.

Sunday, May 24

• All day: TCR craft activities; Lions Club traditional games; three fairground rides
• 9am: Car boot sale
• 1pm: Live music with open mic run by Crash Jones and Harry the Sax between acts. 1pm, Soul Academy; 2.30pm, Aniseed Lounge; 4pm, Midnight Storm; 5.30pm, headliners The Moobs for a two-hour session and a light and smoke spectacle.
• 2pm-5pm: Magic Andrew’s magician sessions.

Monday, May 25

• All day: TCR craft activities; Lions Club traditional games; three fairground rides
• Noon: Fancy dress judging – theme music and dance.
• 1pm: Parade sets off (Glaxo)
• 2pm: Open mic sessions
• 3pm: Parade prize-giving
• Live music: 3.30pm, Los Capitanos; 5pm, headliners The Revamps.