A WET day did not stop this year’s St Keverne Ox Roast from going ahead.

Although the rain meant visitor numbers were slightly down on some years, there was still plenty of support for the annual event that is St Keverne Band’s biggest fundraiser of the year.

The village square was taken over with stalls and games, with all three sections of the band – junior, youth and senior – playing under a marquee and hardy supporters sitting watching them regardless of the rain.

In front of the parish church the traditional spit was set up by butchers from J Retallack and Son. The large pieces of ox were basted and turned throughout the day ready for serving at 3pm.

Opening this year's event was long-time band supporter David Belfield, whose children progressed through the band. 

Philip Care was the auctioneer, selling off the first few slices of beef to the highest bidders in what is always a hotly contested auction attracting lots of interest from spectators.

This year the first slice was sold to the new landlords of the Three Tuns pub, Matt and Emma Ferguson, for £265.

In the parish church hall St Keverne Family History Society held its annual Ox Roast exhibition. This year was themed around the 20th anniversary of the Keskerdh Kernow 500 march from St Keverne to London, which marked 500 years since village blacksmith Michael Joseph (An Gof) led the 1497 Cornish Rebellion on the same walk in protest against a rise in taxes.

Despite a wet afternoon and early evening, the rain finally cleared at 7pm, with blue skies and sunshine to finish the day, leading to a late swell in visitor numbers.

At the end of the day, £5,351 had been raised for band funds, which are used to ensure all members of the junior and youth bands are able to receive instruments and tuition entirely for free, keeping the band open to all.

Band director Gareth Churcher said of the event: “It was still a brilliant team effort. Everyone mucked in to make it successful, despite the weather.

“We just played on as best we could and got all the bands playing. We were lucky we had a nice big marquee to keep us dry.”

Also performing on the main stage were Freddie and Gideon on the accordion, with both pubs in the village also providing evening entertainment.

Gareth added: “Thank you to all the band supporters and committee members. They kept playing through adverse weather conditions and just got on and did it.”

n A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol following an alleged hit and run in St Keverne Square last Wednesday evening.

  • A 60-year-old pedestrian suffered minor injuries after he was hit by a car during the Ox Roast celebrations.

Police and an ambulance were called to the village at around 8.45pm, but found the driver had already left. He was identified and later arrested into police custody.