A duck called Kirsty steals the show at Minster village fair
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
A man and a duck were the surprise highlights of this year’s Minster village fair.
Mark Colyer, 61, and his feathered friend instantly became the star attractions at the event in Minster Abbey’s grounds on Saturday (July 11) when he turned up wearing a Robin Hood hat and a pet duck called Kirsty tucked under his arm.
Mark, from Gillingham, visits fetes, care homes and hospitals free of charge with his odd family.
In all, he has five therapy ducks and is currently rearing two 30-day-old goslings.
He said: “I took along Kirsty who is only five months old. We were there to make people smile. They could hold or cuddle her. She’s an absolute diamond.
“If I put her on the floor, she will even walk beside me, like a dog.”
He explained: “We like to work with people with autism or ADHD, those in care homes, people with disabilities or with cancer.”
Kirsty is the daughter of his first therapy duck Goldie, who he still has.
Mark said: “Goldie has brought so much love and joy to thousands of people.”
Then he added: “I was cuddling Kirsty yesterday afternoon when she let out a very loud quack and laid an egg on my lap. I had tears in my eyes!”
Among those meeting her included a steady stream of fascinated youngsters plus show compere Tracy Topsom from BRFM radio and Sheppey town crier Bruce Horton, who officially opened the proceedings by ringing his bell followed by an official proclamation.
Entertaining the record crowd were the Isle of Sheppey Band (fresh from a special appearance in London); the Rock Choir; Fiato Little Big Band; Criterion Ukulele Strummers; Sheppey Line Dancers; Island Allstars display team and members of the Big Fish Band.
Veteran air ambulance fundraiser Tim Bell was present with his helicopter and a new drum set. He also played music including his own AI tribute songs to the Isle of Sheppey.
Sheppey United’s mascot Lenny the Lion put in an appearance sporting his England flag ahead of Saturday night’s World Cup game.
Sheppey coastguards were hosting their “throw a lifeline” game until they had to quit suddenly to attend an emergency Mayday call.
The fete was jointly organised by Minster Abbey and Minster-on-Sea parish council.
The council paid for Phoenix Event Hire to set up a bouncy castle and children’s games, including a popular Splat the Rat attraction run by Cllr Tom Nundy, in one section of the grounds and then allowed all youngsters to play for free.
Minster parish councillor John Nurden said: “People couldn’t believe there were no charges. But we felt this was a good use of our resources.”
Youngsters watched wide-eyed as Island writer Barbara Erskine narrated an original puppet show called Swampy Man Saves The Day, along with sound effects, music and bubbles, in the Abbey Gatehouse Museum where there was also free chalk art and a set of ominous stocks awaiting any unsuspecting councillors.
The parish council asked visitors to name their pet loves and hates of the village.
Top of the complaints were too many new houses, parking charges at the Little Oyster car park, overgrown footpaths, concerns about catapults and pleas for more facilities for teenagers.
The council is to launch a new youth club at Thistle Hill community centre in September along with the Oasis Youth Hub.
Visitors ranked the beach, community spirit, friendly people, history and the council’s Christmas lantern parade and festive lights as the five best things. They also called for a bandstand on The Leas and a lower speed limit for Scocles Road.
There were 50 stallholders including artist John Gevaux-Ross, who was doing a roaring trade in Christmas cards and 2027 calendars; EKC Sheppey Secondary School’s cake stand; Sheppey Light Railway; Eastchurch Aviation Museum, Harmony Therapy Trust; Debbie Adams Art; Sea Worn Wonders; Sheppey 3D; 7th Sheppey Scouts’ burger bar plus Sheppey Girl Guides; Sheppey Sea Cades and Marines; the RNLI and Al’s ice cream van.
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