Hello all. Don’t forget that tomorrow, Bank Holiday Monday, Beckworth will be hosting the (postponed) annual Christmas Smokers Fair in the Market Square from 10am.

It’s a not to be missed day out for all the family, young and old. And because it’s a winter event being held in the summer all the events will now be held outdoors, with the exception of the marijuana smokers yoga and reggae drop-in sessions which will as usual be held discretely in the scout hut.

It’s your once in a year opportunity to buy exotic tabacco, nicotene patches, lighters and papers and take part in workshops such as cigar rolling, pipe-rack carving and Johnny Ball‘s matchstick model-making classes (this year on the theme of dance).

The pubs will be open from 8am until very late but let’s hope there isn’t a repeat of last years drunken debacle where well-wishers tried to burn down the Macadamia Hall during the sold-out panto Puss In Boots, starring Will Young and Paris Hilton.

Event’s during the day include Santa’s Summer Grotto, a smokers trivia pub quiz in the marquee from 7pm, tug o’war (last years’ winners The Pipesmokers v new challengers The Cigarello Smokers), Puffin’ Willy’s Steam Fair,  a “smoke-themed” kite display by local celebrity Noel Edmunds, a concert by Status Quo and Dame Charlotte Church and of course, in the late evening, the crowning of Beckworth’s Smoker Of The Year 2013.

We are also hoping to try again and beat the world record for the most snuff-sniffers in one field. Due to health and safety laws we are not allowed a lit bonfire but smoking is permitted outside in the designated areas furnished with ashtrays and spittoons.

For the youngsters Flintlock Farm’s Mobile Petting Zoo will be setting up in a corner of the sports field and in another corner, for parents, the Beckworth & Crewbury Historical Re-enactors will be re-enacting the first time tobacco was introduced to Beckworth by smugglers in the 19th century (complete with borrowed horses and a mock-up ship).

So see you all tomorrow, Mayor Gary Grimsby