During the week leading up to the event we spent a great deal of time clearing the site of nettles; erecting a marquee; arranging food and drink; inviting local musicians; collecting firewood, digging a fire pit and setting up a fire point; providing toilet facilities; making seating; painting and erecting sign posts and advertising the event in town.

It was hard work and made all the more stressful by also having the Moretonhampstead Summer Fair to prepare for and an interview with Carlton TV during the same week. Yet despite all the stresses, and fears of rain, by Monday evening, everything was ready, the weather was fine and people started to arrive.

Before long we had quite a crowd with the first of the musicians playing a guitar and people singing around the camp fire. While it was still light, children used a cycle powered fountain to spray water over the heads of unsuspecting adults. When darkness fell the cycle generator was used to project ghostly faces into the marquee and night lights lit up a short woodland walk.

As the evening progressed, virtually every available bench was in use and we knocked together some extra seating. We served free food and drink; vegetable and bean chilli, pitta bread and salad, fresh fruit, traditional homemade lemonade, and local cider. By the end of the evening donations collected in a jar on the counter seemed to have covered most of our costs.

At 1am we had some rain and those still with us retreated to the marquee to continue the music. The last few guests slide off down the hill at around 3am as the last of the remaining chilli and pitta bread was consumed. Those of us who had stayed the distance crept off to bed and had a well deserved lie in the next morning.

We enjoyed ourselves tremendously and perhaps we will do it again next year (or sooner) if the demand is there. Thanks to everyone who came along and to the musicians who played - we couldn't have done it without you.

Don't miss this years campfire evening on Tuesday 21st August 2001 starting at aroud 7pm.