THOUSANDS of people flocked to Shaftesbury at the weekend for the town’s annual Gold Hill Fair.

They enjoyed two days of celebration with music, parades and medieval costume filling the streets of the Saxon town in a bid to boost charities backed by the town’s Rotary club.

South American rhythms and stirring Scottish marching songs filled the air on Saturday as the Samba Drummers and the Wessex Highlanders led a parade of hundreds of local children, each carrying colourful silk flags.

Adam and Sheila Ralph travelled from Sixpenny Handley to enjoy the bands playing in the beautiful Shaftesbury Abbey gardens.

“We’ve enjoyed the general ambience. There’s something very English about the fair.

“It’s an opportunity to wander round and soak up the atmosphere,” said Mr Ralph.

Visitors to Park Walk sampled the produce of local craftsmen while taking in stunning views of the surrounding Blackmore Vale.

The sound of didgeridoos drew crowds to the Didgeri Dorset stand of Gillingham man Mike Rigby, who showed off a selection of instruments made from bamboo cane.

Shaftesbury couple Scott and Samantha Jones displayed a range of handmade “bug boxes” – scaled down houses made from recycled wood and filled with hollow canes – to attract garden-friendly bees and insects.

English civil war enthusiasts Steve and Gary Piper set up an impressive array of pikes, swords and armour as part of a recruitment drive for the regiment of Colonel William Sydenham’s Company of Foote.

Sunday saw the town turn out in 15th century costume for processions, mummer’s plays and medieval dancing outside the town hall.

Shaftesbury Rotary Club president Paul Deakin said last year’s fair raised £9,000 for charity, adding that he was hopeful this year’s event would raise a similar amount for Life Education Wessex and the Royal Star and Garter charity’s supported homes for ex-service personnel.

He said: “Unfortunately the weather has not been too brilliant on Sunday but we had a magnificent day and made a large sum of money for charity.

“It’s a community-based event and a lot of local charities are here and able to make funds for themselves.”