Berkshire Bedlam - Bunfights

BB - Bunfights

Excuse me, Miss, what's a Bunfight ....?

Bunfights, best described as ceilidhs-with-spots, are an important part of Berkshire Beldam Folklore. If you're interested in how the Bunfights first came about, click here to read Stuart Barry's account of the first few such events.......

Nowadays the Bunfight is an annual event which is always great fun for everyone attending, young or old. It is held on the last Saturday in November, traditionally at the California Ratepayers Hall, Finchampstead, (click here for map) and the main feature is a ceilidh, always with an excellent band. There is a different overall theme each year, which people are welcome to dress in line with, but this is entirely optional. As well as guest acts, BB usually perform a couple of spots during the evening, the second of which is a showpiece spot that usually has nothing to do with the evening's theme and everything to do with the most bizarre idea they have come up with since the last bizarre idea. The challenge is always to get down to the standard of previous years and amazingly they often succeed.

Lowlights over the years have included Flashdance, Schwarzkopf, YMCA, the famous Cockneys, Berkshire Bumfolosi, The Swans, The Men In Black, The Can-Can, Bolshoi Bedlam, Keystone Cops, Men in Tights, and the legendary 'Stumpton', a spot still talked of in revered tones today, mainly due to the leapfrogs, or more accurately stumpfrogs. The latest Bunfight and spot was in November 2009, once again at the California Ratepayers Hall, with the fabulous Committee Band and caller 'Mr. Marvellous' Nick Walden, and with a Circus theme. Outfits on show included ring masters, lion tamers, clowns, tightrope walkers, mime artists, knife throwers, snake charmers, weight lifters, and the truly amazing Simon the Human Cannonball - accurate all the way down to his gold sprayed wellies. Other entertainment included our fast growing boys Alun, Mark, and (young) Will doing their very own splendid jig, and then later on a visit from the BB Allstars Cheerleaders, fresh from a recent stadium tour of East Berkshire, showing choreography and co-ordination the like of which we can safely say has rarely been seen at the Ratepayers Hall - not since the previous spot, anyway.

The next Bunfight will be on Sat 27th November 2010, once again featuring The Committee Band making one of their last ever appearances, and with this year's theme of 'Space' - the 2009 event was a sell out so get your tickets in good time this year! - tickets now on sale! (email malcolmmajor at ntlworld dot com to book)

Meanwhile to whet your appetite here's a list of all the recent bunfight themes and spots (click on thumbprints for larger versions of the pictures):

2009 - Band - Committee Band Theme - Circus Main spot - BB All Stars Cheerleaders

2008 - Band - Random Theme - Myths and Legends Main spot - Men in Tights

2007 - Band - Random Theme - Heroes and Villains Main spot - Keystone Kops

2006 - Band - Phungus Theme - Carry On At The Bunfight Main spot - Bolshoi Bedlam

2005 - Band - Phungus Theme - Bunfight at the OK Corral Main spot - The Can-Can

2004 - Band - Phungus Theme - Schooldays Main spot - Men in Black

2003 - Band - Phungus Theme - A Day at the Races Main spot - 'Flame' sword dance

Sadly no pictures survive of this epic evening, but rest assured it was good!

2002 - Band - Phungus Theme - The Underground Main spot - 633 Squadron