European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 26, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse The Strain of concentration shows on the faces of youngsters in an egg wins at Small town fest Story and photos by Dave Diehl staff writer a on one saturday each july the people in the quiet Hamlet of Isleham in Eastern England gather on their Lush Village Green to witness egg and spoon races cake baking contest a handwriting Competition and the Devil take the hindmost Cycle race. It is a Small but typical part of English country life in the Cambridgeshire Village on the Edge of the Fertile Farmland of the fens in Isleham properly pronounced eyes Lum it is an annual event free from any Money grabbing games and amusements found at most modern Day carnivals and fairs. Few Isleham people do not get involved in the Isleham sports gala and fun run known simply As gala Day it is the event of the year. Villagers not entered in the fun run or one of the wine painting or cake competitions might ride or work on one of the tractor pulled floats or enter their child in the cutest baby contest. The Village of about 2,000, just 60 or so Miles North of London might As Well be on another planet. It is one of those rare places where everybody knows or knows of everyone else. Gala Day though is the Only Day when the Village gets together in Masse. Janet Houghton a lifelong villager started the big Day eight years ago for her son Gary then an up and coming bicycle racer for admittedly selfish reasons Quot i thought it would be Nice if they could see him ride Quot Houghton said. But right from the Start Houghton had selfless plans for the event Quot i thought it would be Nice to get everyone in the Village together so we thought we d build it around the the cycling which is a traditional sport at such summer get together in England and 26-year-old Gary Are still part of the Day but not overwhelmingly so. Most of the events Are devoted to the Young and families. True to the spirit of the gala Day nobody walks away with big prizes but almost everybody walks away with something. Countless plaques trophies and medals go to winners runners up and competitors. Numbers Don t diminish their significance either. So important was coming in second in the girls under-16 Bike race to Sara King that she was moved to tears when she collected her plaque in the Winner s Circle. The cute babies get medals. Sack racers As Well As those who won in the Quot mums and dads Quot races get something for their spirited efforts. The fun runners a each and every one who crosses the finish a get certificates and special medals. And As expected Loddy Buck with his wife at the rear walked or it should be Saidy crawled away with the Loddy Buck wheelbarrow Challenge plaque again. Left competitors crawl toward the finish line in the wheelbarrow race. Above the camera captures a sack racer in mid hop. Juty 26, 1990 stripes Magazine 3
