THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 16, 1994 TAG: 9409160548
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LINDA MCNATT, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ISLE OF WIGHT LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
After 360 years and a war for independence, the ties that bind this rural, agricultural county and an island off the coast of Great Britain are still strong.
To prove the point, 16 British citizens traveled to Isle of Wight, Va., this week to say happy birthday to their homeland's American namesake and to help kick off the first county fair in more than 50 years.
``We have never been ones to turn down an invitation to a birthday party,'' Val Anderson, council chairwoman of Isle of Wight, England, said Thursday. ``And when the party is for a venerable old lady, you just drop everything and come.''
For the English citizens of the island, which is known for its beautiful countryside, beaches and rugged coastlines, it was the first visit to the Virginia county in a decade. They were here when the county celebrated its 350th anniversary in 1984.
It seemed only proper then to invite guests from England, said W.B. ``Sonny'' Owen, a former local county administrator who spoke at the festivities Thursday.
``A deep friendship has been established over the past 10 years,'' Owen said as he stood on a stage in front of the American flag and the flag of Great Britain, which flew side by side.
That friendship is part of what inspired thoughts of an annual celebration, said Richard Turner, a former chairman of the Board of Supervisors. Soon after the 350th birthday celebration, Turner said, Grace Keen, a civic leader, suggested a county fair.
A county fair was a tradition in Isle of Wight for years in the early 1900s. But the last fair was held in 1941, just before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Nobody can say why the idea never resurfaced after that, but the wait was worth it, Keen said.
``I feel just like I did when I saw my first grandson,'' she said, smiling broadly. ``I didn't believe it could happen.''
Thursday was the first day of a four-day celebration featuring livestock exhibits, food and grain competitions, a petting zoo, food, rides and entertainment. The fair continues through Sunday.
Meanwhile, the friends from England will enjoy all of the festivities, tour historic spots in the county and have lunch at a plantation famous for its fox hunts. They'll stop only for tea at 4 each afternoon, complete with cucumber sandwiches, scones and a taste, here and there, of Smithfield ham.
One English visitor, soon after he arrived, said the teas were ``quite nice'' but may not be exactly what the English do anymore.
``I wouldn't do this at 4 p.m.,'' said Peter Harris, a 25-year member of the island's council and a convenience store owner.
``The nobs might,'' Harris said, laughing as he divulged what could be a state secret. ``It's a class thing, anymore. The majority of the working people eat at half past 5 or 6 o'clock, just like Americans do. Tea is a nice idea, but people have to work.''
Nevertheless, the American tour was an enjoyable break from work, Anderson said. And it allowed them all to learn more about the county in Virginia with the same name as their island.
Anderson told the locals that the British island is about the same size as the Virginia county - more than 300 square miles. But the population is higher - about 130,000 compared with 25,000. The island has two major festivals a year, a fair and a garlic festival.
The local fair opens today at noon and goes until 11 p.m. It runs from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m. on Saturday and from 1 to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
You can learn more about Isle of Wight, England, at an exhibit just inside the main tent, where the British visitors are set up to familiarize Americans with their fair island.
Just don't look for them at 4 p.m. They're on vacation. They'll be having tea. ILLUSTRATION: JOHN H. SHEALLY II/Staff
Jo and Jeryl White listen to the national anthem during Friday's
opening ceremony for Isle of Wight's county fair.
Staff Map
by CNB