Damp weather proved to be no deterrent for the many hundreds who turned out to Castle Green on June 16 for the annual Plympton Lamb Feast.
Among the things put on for the public to enjoy this year were a medieval combat display, dance performances, judo performances by the Plympton St Maurice Judo Club and a magic show from Magic Mark.
The event was opened by Plympton Stannator Andrew Hill who along with Youth Ambassador Isaac Hudson arrived at the head of a convoy of vintage and classic motor cars. The Stannator opted to ride in a 1936 Armstrong Siddeley 14HP with Youth Ambassador Isaac and the Stannator’s partner Charlotte Willis following behind in a more modern-day Aston Martin.
For Andrew and Isaac it was their last public engagement before their successors took over at a ceremony at Harewood House later in the evening.
Stannator Hill however had one final surprise to deliver as he announced that the Susan Jane School of Dancing, who were performing at the Lamb Feast, would be this year’s recipients of the Marjorie Lynden Shield. Marjorie Lynden was Plympton Stannator in 1985/6 and she donated a shield to be presented annually by each successive Stannator to a young person or group of young people who are doing worthwhile activities in the Plympton area. A formal presentation of the shield will be made at the school’s last practice night before the summer break.
The dance school was founded by Sue Heesem in 1976 and still run by her today. The school performs annually at the Lamb Feast as well as doing a number of charity events which have raised thousands of pounds for good causes over the years.
Individuals who have won the award in the past include Morgan Lewis, Nancy Collis, Tom Boulden and Jon-Paul Oxley. Groups to have previously received the award include Starlite School of Dance, Plympton St Maurice Youth Club, Woodford Guitar School, 2377 Squadron Plympton ATC and various divisions of the local Scouts.
This year’s Lamb Feast was compered by former Radio Devon presenter and current Brook Inn landlord John Govier. John announced that a deaf dog abused as a puppy had won a special award in the dog show which had also taken place as part of the array of activities put on at the Lamb Feast. The Hercules Trophy was donated to the dog show section of the event to be awarded to ‘the dog with a story to tell’ and this year’s winner was Lula.
Lula’s current owner, Iona, explained to John Govier that Lula was among a litter of puppies abandoned in a flat, with just Lula and her mother surviving. Lula was found to have head trauma suggestive of her having been beaten when only a few weeks old and this is thought to have led to Lula’s deafness.
Iona, who is Lula’s third owner, explained that she had had Lula now for 4 months and that Lula gets on with cats, dogs and children.
“Her attention span is not great but other than that she is as good as gold”
Iona told John over the public address system.
John asked her whether she had to do anything differently because of Lula’s deafness and Iona explained that it is possible to teach a dog sign language.
“Because of her attention span it’s really difficult so at the moment we are working on recall and getting her to stay with me and focus on who I am,”
Iona added.
