Pictures

This was the report of the first Pilton Festival Pageant, Parade and Fair, held on 24th July 1982, in the North Devon Journal of 29th July. The Pageant depicted people and events throughout Pilton's history - medieval, Elizabethan and Victorian - and celebrated Pilton's 1,100 years of recorded history. The Puritans hissed and booed the Cavaliers. There were lepers, mummers, morris dancers, a mock mayor making and almost constant music. There were monks galore, a reminder of the time Pilton had a monastery.

It was estimated that there were never fewer than 2,000 people on the streets during the six hours it all lasted. Pilton's newest baby, nine-day old Luke Buckler, was a symbol of hope for the future. Former vicar, the Rev James West, returned to preach at a thanksgiving service.

Those reported include 'Mayor' Ian Scott, former Mayor of Barnstaple, Charlotte Hart a flautist, Bridget Perfect selling winkles, and Rev Anthony Geering whose idea it all was. Dorothy Forward is recognised as a small monk in the middle as is 'Mayoress' Margaret Scott, who is the wife of the 'Mayor' standing beside him in the top left hand photo. We would like to find out about any of those shown and/or described so contact us if you know anything.