Zoom online to rearranged residents Corby Pole Fair 2022 community panel

A community event where Corby residents would have had their say in the planning for celebrations of the town's Pole Fair has been moved online.

The panel had been set up to plan the next Corby Pole Fair in 2022, with input welcome from people in the town.

Members of the community are also being asked to complete an online survey or if people prefer they can chat to a Made With Many member of staff to share ideas.

Helen Willmott, programme director, said: "Given the new government guidelines, the planned consultation sessions for Corby Pole Fair 2022 are no longer able to take place as in-person events.

"We’ll try to rearrange these once it is safe and legal to do so. In the meantime, we would still love to hear your memories, opinions and ideas as we continue to plan for the fair."

The free to attend Corby Pole Fair 2022 online focus group takes place on November 14 from 2pm to 4pm via Zoom.

Details of the open session can be found at madewithmany.eventbrite.com, or go to the online survey at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/corbypolefair or call Tom Briggs on 07923 221759 (or text to ask for a call back) to have a chat about the fair and share ideas.

Ms Willmott added: "We are starting early to make sure we plan something really special. It’s important to get local people involved, so if you live or work in Corby we would love you to attend our online session to discuss ideas and see how you could be involved."

Numerous traditions take place at each fair, including a peel of bells rung by St John the Baptist Church, a dawn parade with a reading of the town's charter, floral gateways to the Old Village and a greasy pole competition.

At the celebration, every person entering the village has to pay a small toll or face the stocks. Previous fairs have also included markets, performances, historical re-enactments and a large funfair.

A Zoom link will be sent to everyone who has booked a place shortly before the event. Anyone needing support with accessing Zoom can email [email protected] or by calling 07923 221759.