The Sheepfair Committee prides itself on the wonderful array of entertainment offered across the weekend.
With three stages, a fairground, street entertainment, bands, community entertainers, joint church services and exhibitions, it really is a jam-packed weekend of entertainment for all the family.
We are already planning the best entertainment for our 2020 Sheepfair.
- Here is who you will find at this year’s Sheepfair;
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Andover Museum Loft Singers
Formed in 1996 and named for their practice venue in the loft room of the Andover Museum of the Iron Age, the choir sings three or four part harmony unaccompanied traditional folk songs.The Ampshire Oppers
The Ampshire Oppers are vintage dance enthusiasts who’ve brushed off our coolest moves to transport you back to the Sixties. Join us for the Madison and a swinging Soul Bossa Nova.
Basingclog Morris
Basingclog are your friendly local clog side in Basingstoke and surrounding area. They dance the North West style of Clog, performing dances from the North of England originating some 300 years ago, in and around the Cotton Mills.Basingstoke Silver Band
Basingstoke Silver Band is a thriving band that promotes brass band music in the local area and is especially keen to attract young and new players to get involved. The band performs a varied repertoire.
Cold Toast
The three members of Cold Toast got together about 4 years ago for fun, playing guitar, accordion and bouzouki . Starting out with Irish folk music, they now cover some English folk, sixties and seventies songs and other popular music.
Corvus
Corvus are an acoustic duo from Basingstoke with neo-folk tendencies and a love of the earth, who write memorable, meaningful and melodic songs.
Customs and Exiles Morris
A mixed Morris side, based in Wokingham in Berkshire, we perform traditional North West and Border Morris dances with high energy and precision. This, combined with the superb music provided by our awesome band, has earned us a reputation as a real crowd pleaser.
Dan the Juggler
A comedian and juggler, Dan is a truly funny man with a whole host of skills, including Yo-Yo and hat manipulation. He’s worked on stages and streets worldwide as well as performing on big ships, such as the QE2. Don’t miss this performer with his stockpile of skills, all bound together with his quick witted humour. Suitable for ages!
The Deltas
Early soul with a hint of blues? R’n’B as performed by sixties beat-groups who have spent too long listening to Ray Charles? Throw in some late 60’s soul-infused roots-rock music and you’ll get some idea of what The Deltas are about.
Flambé Circus Theatre
Don’t miss Flambé Circus Theatre who have a veritable feast of incendiary delights and delicious distractions on the menu. Highly visible and always striking entertainment includes interactive stilt walking characters, mesmerising bubbleology, impressive balloon modelling plus more!
Hook Eagle Morris
Hook Eagle Morris are celebrating their 25th Birthday in 2016. We dance ‘Border Morris’ which began on the English/ Welsh borders in the 19th Century. We are notable for our blackened faces – this disguise was originally employed to conceal the identity of the performers to protect them from prosecution for begging.Guy Chant
Guy Chant is a guitarist, writer and singer of contemporary folk songs. His subjects range from ship wrecks to heartbreaks as he tells stories through words and melody. He performs solo or as part of the duo, Mynott’s Wing.
Hughie
Hughie integrates elements of the modern, western singer/songwriter genre with ancient Eastern Buddhist mantras to produce something unique, touching and uplifting!
The Imperial Balalaika Orchestra of Overton
Led by shadowy svengali Adrian Zolotuhin, the orchestra comprises a handful of semi-delinquent youths, who congregate regularly to enjoy Russian music and fast food. The instruments of the orchestra include balalaika, domra and spoons, traditionally played with passion, vigour and dodgy accents.
JLD School of Dance
JLD School of Dancing in Kempshott and Basingstoke is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The school teaches ballet, modern, tap, contemporary and Musical Theatre classes to all ages from babies to adults.
John Meriton
A singer/ songwriter from Hampshire: His songs are about life as he sees it; real people, places, emotions and experiences. With a powerful, warm and witty delivery, John plays solo, as well as with an acoustic band, in folk clubs and festivals across Hampshire, Sussex and Dorset.
Keltyke
Keltyke comprises of Tom Hanely and Gill Corbett. Involved in the local folk scene for many years they are two of the organisers of Overton Folk Club. Their arrangements of traditional songs and tunes will delight you.
Mad Magdalen
Whether on the main stage, around a camp fire, or plugged into a sun, wind or pedal-powered amp or two, Mad Magdalen (pronounced ‘Mad Mawdlin’) offer earthy folk for earthy folk. They sing songs about sex, death, dancing and magic.The Magician – Rob Chapman
Rob is a professional mystery entertainer, and a favourite of Sheepfair. He prides himself on providing performances that are highly entertaining, mystifying and memorable. He has won awards for his magic and is described by his peers as being unique in the world of magic.
Mayflower Morris
Mayflower Morris ladies are based in Ash Vale on the Surrey/Hampshire border. We wear clogs and dance to North West style of Morris.
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Mellow Baku
From touring with Afrobeat dub band Soothsayers, singing a capella at Southbank London, to recording Bosnian pop in Copenhagen, Mellow Baku sees stage and studio as places to connect, share and explore.
Mike O’Leary
Mike is the author of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Folktales and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Ghost Tales. However he won’t be reading stories, he’ll be telling them. You might see him, dragging his blue story box around town, playing music on his flute-stick, and looking to tell a story… He loves the Sheepfair.
Nine-five-dot-one
The band Nine-five-dot-one has been together now for about ten years. Formed from St. Mary’s Church Band and a shared interest in Christian rock, we play in many styles. Sharon East, Andy Iddiols and Steve Baron complete our Sheepfair line up and we can’t wait to play for you.Overton Mummers
Overton Mummers have been part of Overton’s history for centuries. In their strange costumes of shredded paper and shrouded faces, they usually perform their ancient play around the village at Christmas time, and always on Boxing Day, They have come out of hibernation once again specially for Sheepfair.
Overton Primary School
Children from Overton Primary School have been rehearsing for many weeks to offer two performances over the Sheepfair weekend. They’ll be delighting audiences with their Country Dancing demonstration and the school’s Choir will be performing several songs.
The Pearly Queen
The London tradition of Pearly Queens and Kings began in 1875. Our very own local Pearly Queen, Lola Gibbard, has graciously accepted our invitation to perform a walk-about at this year’s Sheepfair.
Porridge Radio
Porridge Radio are a Brighton-based band with a drummer who hails originally from Overton. Currently on a UK tour, they play desperate but uplifting loser core punk.
The Pottingshed Band
As part of their 2016 Tour of Berkshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire, The Pottingshed Band will be visiting a Garden Centre near you to spread humour like humus and promote their latest CD.
Prelude
Is a band of local mates – Furney Bridge, Adam Kizun, Ellie McDevitt, Matt Palmer and Archie Zolotuhin – who enjoy playing guitar-heavy songs from Blues and Classic Rock to Indie and Punk. They are looking forward to adding a few 60’s classics to their killer set.
Sahara
Sahara are a Basingstoke/Brighton/ London based Indie Rock band, with a lead vocalist from Overton. Their influences range from boiled potatoes to Rob’s greatly ex-tending facial hair, to the vast extremi-ties of the Sahara desert. All laced into a deli-cious BLT of sound and noise.
Steve Price- Caricature Artist
A trained portrait artist, Steve creates lightning-fast likenesses! In 5 minutes he will capture you in caricature, impressing the crowd with his skills while he creates an individual portrait for you to take home and treasure.
Sue Rampton
Originally from Overton, Sue has been singing for many years – folk, blues, music hall, jazz, everything and anything…
Steve Donnelly
Be prepared for a sing-along as Steve takes to the stage on Sunday afternoon. Folk, Beatles, Country, anything with a chorus is right up Steve’s street. He’ll have something for everyone – guaranteed.
Taekwondo
The club has been offering Taekwondo for all ages in the village since 1997. Run by volunteer instructors experienced in this martial art, along with a variety of other styles and self defence certifications, this club is a great place for children, adults and families to train. The demonstration will offer a flavour of our syllabus.
U3A Choral Speaking
Jill O’Hare trained at The Guildhall School of Speech and Drama London. An international examiner, teacher and adjudicator, a professional actress and a published author.
Wayne Tetley
Some old fashioned pub songs we used to perform at the Newport Inn, Braishfield near Romsey. Join Wayne for a singalong!
Win Chun
We offer authentic and effective training in Wing Chun Kung-Fu, based in Kingsclere, Basingstoke and Tadley. Within a safe and welcoming environment you can learn simple and effective techniques to defend yourself and others. A kid’s class is available, as well as classes for young adults and older. The demonstration will offer some insights into this fascinating art and its practical application.Hughie
Hughie integrates elements of the modern, western singer/songwriter genre with ancient Eastern Buddhist mantras to produce something unique, touching and uplifting!Shedadelic
Honed from the smouldering ashes of the swinging 60’s, SHEDADELIC have risen like a phoenix from the man caves of Overton, (and surrounding areas), to become the indomitable force they are today. Ish.
They are a collection of like-minded wannabe rock stars with little musical talent, very boring 9 to 5 jobs and a tendency to come up with stupid ideas like forming a band after a long evening in the pub. But, they all have a dream, a dream that Rock ’n’ Roll will one day drag them out of their mundane lives and on to the stages of the worlds legendary music venues.
Hammersmith, Wembley, Madison Square Garden, or even the Garden Stage at Overton Sheep Fair. Whatever, we are just happy to rock!