THE revitalised Charter Fair is being held in Bucky Doo Square and Bridport Arts Centre today (Saturday, September 29).

Bucky Doo entertainment will be by St Swithun’s Band (9.30), the Allstars Dance Team (10.50), Local Vocal (11.20), Tinker’s Cuss (12.10), Pete Pope (13.50), and the Beaminster Youth Band (14.40). At 10 the Mayor of Bridport, Cllr Barry Irvine, will declare this historic event officially open and will present the prestigious Charter Fair Trophy to Simon Williams in recognition of his work in creating Bridport’s MINDFEST.

Bridport Lions Club, the Citizens’ Rights Charter, the Trick Factory, and The Richard Ely Fund will be found on the Arts Centre forecourt, with musical performances at 11.50, 12.10, 13.30 and 14.20 featuring Laura Cox, Aidan Simpson, Eve Appleton Scott and Chris Deacon.

The Foyer will host Artwork on the theme of the new Citizens’ Rights Charter by children of the Minerva Schools Trust, Gargoyles created by students at the Sir John Colfox Academy, and the winners of the Fair’s Photographic Competition.

Community groups such as the Friends of Millennium Green, Bridport Arts Society, West Dorset MENCAP, Cupboard Love, Bridport Young Performers and Harmony will have stalls inside the Centre, along with the British Legion (Women’s Section), Living Tree, Dementia Friendly Bridport, Bridport Choral Society, Twinning Association, the Street Children of Calcutta Charity and MINDFEST. Miles Bell will demonstrate his pottery making, A Loada Patchers will be patching things up, and Bridport Raspberry Jam will enthuse about computing, programming, robot making and fun technology.

On stage others will demonstrate what they get up to – Bridport Young Performers will perform at 10.15, you can join in and Keep Fit with Hattie Stewart at 11.00, children from the Lyric School of Dancing will be doing you know what at 11.45, talented young performer Chloe Rainey will be singing at 12.30, whilst Bridport Choral Society will fill the auditorium with song from 13.15.

Charters ancient and modern will be displayed in the Town Hall: Henry III’s from 1253 granting Bridport the right to hold a market, together with the new Citizens’ Charter recognising Bridport as the UK’s first Rights Respecting Town.

In recognition of the significance of the Charter Fair there will be free parking in all Bridport car parks for the day. The Fair itself is also completely free, but collections will be taken for Dementia Friendly Bridport and donations of food for Cupboard Love will be very welcome.