IT WAS certainly a day to remember as villagers stepped back in time yesterday as a popular fair returned.

Residents of Sutton Poyntz near Weymouth came together to showcase what their community has to offer through a Victorian Street Fayre. 

The biennial fayre which is in its 13th year saw thousands of villagers, visitors and tourists flock to the event.

Villagers manned a variety of stalls in traditional Victorian dress which offered items ranging from jewellery to homemade traybakes.

Balfey’s Bakers, a group of Sutton Poyntz bakers led by Chris Balfe produced a selection of bread for the occasion.

Chris said: “It has been a fantastic day, the sun is shining and everyone is having a good time.”

The group has donated the excess bread to help the homeless in Weymouth. 

Visitors also enjoyed demonstrations of a variety of traditional crafts including pottery and thatching while a dedicated children’s entertainment area kept the kids entertained. 

Previous events have seen cash of around £15,000 raised for a variety of charitable organisations including Preston Village Hall and Weldmar, WaterAid, Chesil Sailability, Citizens Advice, Dorset Wildlife Trust, the Front skatepark, Help for Heroes, the Lantern, Readeasy, food banks, Scout groups and the local Mission Hall in the village. 

Event committee chairman Dave Langridge, who has lived in the village for six years, said he was pleased with the turnout.

He added: “We have got around 200 villagers involved this year which is incredible, thanks to everyone for coming together.

“I am very appreciative of all of my committee for all of the hard work which they have put in to get the fair together and of course to everyone for coming and donating to charity which has enabled us to help those less fortunate than ourselves.

“It’s very much a community event so the aim is to get all of the village involved.”

Funds raised from this years will go to the Dorset Cancer Unit Appeal as well as WaterAid and a number of smaller local charities and organisations.