Dorset solicitors Kitson & Trotman are the main sponsor of Buckham Fair for the third year running.
The popular event takes place on Martin and Philippa Clunes’s land at Buckham Down on Sunday 19 August. This year, Buckham Fair celebrates its tenth birthday.
Since the first fair in 2008, £512,500 has been raised for Weldmar Hospicecare Trust, Julia’s House Children’s Hospice and Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. This year the event is in aid of Dorset County Hospital Charity Cancer Appeal.
Richard King, a Partner in Kitson & Trotman, which has offices in Beaminster, Bridport, Weymouth and Lyme Regis, said the firm had no hesitation in supporting Buckham Fair again.
He said: “So many people enjoy the event and it raises an incredible amount for really important local charities. As a firm founded in West Dorset in 1756, and at the heart of the local community ever since, we are committed to supporting the work of local organisations.
“Every year, Kitson and Trotman supports various local events, including The Melplash Show, Beaminster Festival, Bridport Literary Festival, The Henry Smith Ball, Cattistock Countryside Show, Bricky Horse Trials and Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week.”
Kitson & Trotman is again jointly sponsoring the Best Rescue Dog Championship.
This year, Buckham Fair organisers hope to raise £100,000 towards building a new cancer care centre in Dorchester.
Martin Clunes said: “Last year, Buckham Fair saw more than 15,000 walk through the gates. We had 121 traders exhibit and over 100 individuals and businesses who sponsored, volunteered, supplied and supported the event – all for the sole purpose of raising as much money as we could.
“Being part of this huge achievement, and being involved in a cause of so much importance, is probably one of the biggest sentiments shared by Buckham Fair sponsors – both corporate and personal.
“We’re very pleased Kitson & Trotman have agreed to sponsor the event again this year. Without sponsors like Kitson & Trotman, we simply wouldn’t be able to deliver such a spectacular event, and raise so much funding for deserving causes in West Dorset.
“It’s a special year for Buckham Fair. In 2018 celebrate our 10th anniversary and because of that, this year’s show is going to be bigger and better than ever before, with even more spectacles, an attempt at a Guinness World Record and wonderful exhibition stalls.”
The Dorset County Hospital Charity Cancer Appeal project will develop cancer facilities for patients in North, South and West Dorset and support the provision of radiotherapy services in Dorchester for the first time.
To mark Buckham Fair’s 10th anniversary, a host of new events is being introduced, including an attempt at a World Guinness Record to have the largest number of dogs sitting simultaneously on a command for 30 seconds.
The Devil’s Horsemen Display Team are performing and, after a two-year absence, the Stunt Dogs of Film and TV return with a brand new display.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy a variety of artisan, craft and other trade stands from local suppliers as well as a food court and beer tent. There’s a classic car display, a funfair and the opportunity to take part in all kinds of horse, pony and dog classes on the day.
Martin Clunes’s Men Behaving Badly co-star Neil Morrissey has been invited to judge ‘The Dog Even More Like Neil Morrissey Competition’
