Punch & Judy show the only festival survivor
PUNCH and Judy were the only survivors of a windblown-Guernsey Street Festival yesterday, as the strong winds and heavy rain of Storm Patricia forced organisers into a last minute cancellation of the outdoor entertainment.
Founder and chairwoman Claire Dawson said this was the second day had lost to bad weather this week.
‘We had to cancel acts on Monday due to the rain which was making electrics hazardous, and cancel today because of the high winds, which meant the gazebos would have been unsafe. Hopefully we will be back tomorrow,' she said.
The only show to go ahead was Brian and Alison Davey’s traditional Punch and Judy show, which, instead of braving the elements, moved their performance a few feet, to take advantage of the Markets’ Inner Street.
‘We are here for Street Festival week with three shows a day,’ said Mr Davey.
‘We’ve had to cancel Monday due to the adverse conditions, and we said we could do the show indoors if someone could find us a space.
‘We have been outside the Market this week near the coffee kiosk so it’s an easy step to move inside.’
The couple, who are visiting Guernsey from their base in Axminster, Devon, have been puppeteering for over 45 years and are no strangers to the Bailiwick.
‘I think it’s the 28th year we have been over to Guernsey,’ said Mr Davey.
‘It’s a home-from-home for us. We are entertaining mums and dads who would have seen us when they were just kids.’
Although Mrs Dawson said that many of the musicians had been disappointed not to perform outdoors yesterday, one ray of sunshine had been offered by Les Rocquettes Hotel.
‘The hotel, who have offered so much wonderful support to the festival, have said that some of the performers who have missed out today can come and play in their bar tonight,’ she said.
