Don't Swallow your Swazzle!!

The Dorset County Fair is a showcase of all things to do with with Britains Rural heritage.

From thatchers demonstrations of how to roof Ye Olde old Country Cottage...








...to examples of the most current models of agricultural machinery.







My personal favourite of the day was the 'Punch and Judy' man.
I was particularly intrigued to see his swazzle up close. This is the mouthpiece the puppeteer uses to create Mr. Punches raspy voice. He said he had once swallowed his swazzle, which made for interesting speculation as to what strange sounds would be emmited if one were to break wind!!
Ironically, his name is Mr. Reed!!

"Thats the way to do it!"

In this day and age, 'Punch and Judy' is very much outlawed by the politcally correct brigade who object to storylines that revolve around infanticide, domestic violence, bobby bashing and adultery....sounds like your average soap opera if you ask me!





Anyway, he got a few laughs from the crowd for corny quips such as, "Do you like my nose?....I picked it myself!!" (ha,ha, chortle.)


Despite the governments ban of foxhunting, beagles and blood hounds are still bred and used for hunts.












A less controversial hunting animal is the Ferret. Here they are used in a drain race. The crowd place their bets and cheer on their favourite - i wouldnt be putting any money on the white one in a coma though.








Mock -Medieval archers flaunt their skills (and their tights).

An arrow head designed to pierce armour was known as a 'Bodkin'
Pretty good shot....


..... though Mrs. Archer isnt looking impressed.