The popular Wymondham Abbey Summer fair, with free entry for everyone, is returning bigger and better than ever on Saturday 12 August, including comedy, live entertainment, craft activities, stalls, Zumba, self-defence sessions, and wellbeing tasters for visitors to enjoy into the summer evening.

Musicians, wellbeing professionals and entertainers have teamed up with ClearCompany CIC, giving their time and talents to create a vibrant community summer event, accessible to all, with something for everyone. Previous Abbey fairs have attracted crowds of families and people looking to browse the stalls of Norfolk bespoke products, or relax and enjoy music and delicious food and drink. This year’s event is packed with even more.

The Wymondham-based social enterprise, organisers of the Abbey events, will also be revealing plans for their new Norfolk shop and studio space for community groups in the town.

Julie Briggs, Director of ClearCompany CIC, said “We absolutely love collaborating with the Wymondham Abbey team and all the artists and artisans we work with who have been with us through the turmoil of the pandemic to deliver events that bring communities and groups together.

“The Abbey Days Summer Fair has been our most fruitful partnership, not only with the Wymondham Abbey team, but with a wide network of artists, musicians, caterers, and craftspeople. It’s been a shining example of community pulling together for the wider community. Thanks to all the hard work and support from so many along the way, we are finally establishing the base we have been searching for which will provide space for groups and community events and allow us to continue collaboration with the Abbey team.”

The programme for this year’s summer fair, running from 11am to 9pm, will blend live music with Zumba, competitions, fun for all ages, and a range of unique produce from around the region. The music line-up includes: London/Irish, Punk/Folk mashups from Anto Morra; soulful summer sounds from The Rhythm Travellers; recording artist Matt Watson and his energetic indie rock; Foxpalmer, currently touring from Edinburgh to Southampton; Flat White’s blistering observations of today’s times; and Kevan Taplin’s husky rock tones. The day will be compered by Mark Aheir, bringing his hilarious midlife comedy observations.

Also on the menu is a range of street food and drink to suit all tastes: wood-fired pizza by Elsie’s Pizza; juicy burgers from Superburger’s vintage giant burger; plant-based delights from Rambling Roots; tantalizing flavours of African cuisine from Society Alive; divine pancakes from Natural Rise; luscious cool shakes from The Shake Shack; and refreshing beers, wine and prosecco from Craftily Bar.

Following on from the popular Easter fair in April, the summer fair is one of two large scale “Abbey Days” events to be held this year. The August event will be followed by a Christmas fair on Saturday 2nd December with festive stalls, activities, food, and workshops.

Leader of Wymondham Abbey, Canon Christopher Davies, said: “Community events are extremely important to us, bringing all ages together in a celebration of our town to connect with each other. In these difficult times, such free events allow everyone to attend and enjoy some time together – an essential contributing factor towards wellbeing for all of us. We are pleased to host occasions for our wider community and enjoy welcoming everyone to the Abbey.”

ClearCompany is a non-profit community interest company established in 2017 to support and nurture local enterprise. To date it has secured funding from the Postcode Lottery, National Lottery, Bright Ideas Fund, Virgin Money, and the Geoffrey Watling Trust which has helped to fund the organisation’s events and the development of their online shop for Norfolk traders to register and sell their produce.