Thank you to Rebecca Hiscock for her letter in the Hampshire Chronicle (July 11) pointing up the significant role she and Helen Kent played in revitalising Hat Fair in 1987 and paving the way for future festivals. With Hat Fair celebrating its 50th birthday this year, we owe a huge debt of gratitude to all of the organisers, artists, communities, volunteers, venues and partners who have kept the festival going and thriving over the decades. So I'm delighted that Helen's achievements have been recognised on the letters pages.


I think this year's Hat Fair really encapsulated a sense of community: from the gorgeous Carnival Parade, to the 'Look Back, Look Forwards, Look Up!' opening event repurposed for Theatre Royal Winchester, through to Autin Dance and Fidget Feet involving local participants and audiences in their shows in such a generous, skillful and joyous way.

A year of the giant wheel, stunning aerial, Elvis on a tractor, bingo, beautiful circus dance with giant bamboo, joyous hatters, people dancing en masse in front of the cathedral celebrating St. Lucian culture and the spirit of being alive, to gazing at clouds, celebrating fantastic work from students and young people and our diverse local communities - also seen in windows of local businesses through creative writing. 

 

On behalf of all my colleagues at Play to the Crowd, I wish to thank the residents of the city of Winchester and all of our audiences for braving the inconsistent weather this year and helping us to celebrate Hat Fair at 50. And to the Hampshire Chronicle for its ongoing support and coverage as well. As we look to the future, here's to fifty more years of delighting, uniting and surprising through local, national and international Outdoor Arts.

 

In the meantime, readers can wish Hat Fair a happy birthday and help keep future festivals free by donating via our website: https://www.hatfair.co.uk/support-us 

 

Andrew Loretto,

Director, Hat Fair and Playmakers,

Play to the Crowd,

Jewry Street,

Winchester