General Discussion
FANTASTIC!
CROWDS of people joined in a celebration of clowning and slapstick at a Devon seaside resort.
The first Fezz-tival took place at Dawlish Warren in honour of legendary fez-wearing comic Tommy Cooper, who sold ice creams along the warren as a young man living in Exeter.
The event, which celebrated his place as one of Britain’s best-loved comics, attracted large crowds of holidaymakers and locals.
Activities lasted throughout the weekend, included free performances and workshops on circus skills, comic routines and puppetry.
There was also live music, a hog roast and a beer festival at The Boathouse pub.
Fezz-tival organiser Andrew Bulpin said he was delighted with turnout. He said: “We set up the festival to try and encourage more local people to come to Dawlish. Especially people from Exeter, as it is so close by.
“This event at least gives people a reason to come down and become reacquainted with Dawlish.
“We have arranged a lot of children’s entertainment, focusing on traditional English seaside slapstick, like Punch and Judy.
“It is also a way of celebrating Tommy Cooper’s work — that is why we are all wearing his signature Fez hats.”
Among those enjoying the free entertainment was Alex Lastarides, from Edinburgh, and her daughter Charlotte, five. Alex said: “I read about the Fezz-tival in the weekend supplement of a national newspaper, which really encouraged me to come down.
“I often holiday in Devon’s South Hams, but never Dawlish. So far we are having a lovely time.”
Local residents were also tempted by the festival. Jenny Archer, 28, from Dawlish, brought her son Jake, five, along to the activities. She said: “I think it’s fantastic that this is all free. It is very beneficial to local people to bring their whole family to. The live entertainment is very good.”
Some people stumbled on the event as a pleasant surprise, including stockbroker Phil Greenman, 31, from Exminster. He said: “My wife and I have friends down from Essex staying so we decided to bring them to Dawlish. It has been a nice surprise that all this is going on, something none of us were expecting.
“But I think it shows Devon off even better as a county.”
The fez-wearing funny man died after collapsing on stage during a live television show in 1984. His parents moved to St Thomas from Wales when he was just four. They lived in Fords Road, where his father, who had been a miner, made ice-cream. He also had an ice-cream van, and the young Tommy used to help him serve.
The family arrived in 1925 and stayed until 1932, when they moved to the New Forest. In 1993 there was a campaign in the Echo to have a plaque put up on the house where Tommy spent much of his youth.
I didn't see any of the funny people that contribute to this site there? No Roy, FEL-699, 4549,etc, etc.
Fancy admitting you are brain dead. Drink in, brain's out, may be obvious to those of us that are t-total, but I would not have thought it was obvious to you FEL-699.