A parade of youth, with mayor Mona Tomaszewska-Honywill and her husband and escort, John, at the front, marked the opening of the annual May Fair in Saltash.

Joining in the Festival fun were a group of French visitors from Saltash's twin town of Plougastel in Brittany, several of them in national costume.

Plougastel mayor, Monsieur Andrew Le Gac, accompanied Mrs Tomaszewska-Honywill.

Also present were chairman of the May Fair committee, Peter Carvell, and the president of Saltash Rotary, David Willcocks. Mr Willcocks and the mayor presented the Citizen of the Year award to St John Ambulance superintendent, Valerie Sambles, and the young Citizen of the Year to Cheryl Smith, who has been working in the Guide movement. The best performance cup for community productions went to Saltash Churches Together, producers Isabelle Chenery and Kenneth Speare receiving the cup jointly.

After the parade the Saltash Heritage local history centre was opened, this is to be part of the future Saltash museum. Ron Freeman, chairman of Saltash Heritage, welcomed the mayor to the history centre situated in the former town council offices in Fore Street. He thanked the Heritage Lottery fund and the SRB for help with the building's refurbishment, and praised the town council and Heritage committee for their help. It is hoped the museum will be open in June of this year. Laura May, granddaughter of one of the members, presented the mayor with flowers.

Saltash fire brigade gave a demonstration on how to cope with a chip pan fire, and a craft and art exhibition was held in Saltash Guildhall to raise money for Mount Edgcumbe Hospice. Heather Lyne exhibited water and oil paintings whilst upstairs there was an exhibition of pottery, glass, woodturning, lamps, sugarcraft etc.

On Friday evening, in the Church Rooms, Saltash cine and video group presented a film show entitled 'Going to the Pictures', the evening in memory of long-standing member Arthur Dawson who died in September last year aged 87. Chairman Alan Barrett welcomed the audience.

An exhibition entitled 'Baptisms and Betrothals' was based at St Nicholas and St Faith church, this including christening gowns dating back 120 years and used by four or five generations of the Upton family. Wedding dresses dated from l902.

On Saturday afternoon the mayor rolled the first wood to open the bowling season at Saltash bowling green, and was welcomed by president Jim Hopper of the men's section and ladies' president Betty Owens.

Members then rolled a bowl into the centre of the green, and a collection was made for CLIC, for a children's cancer ward at Treliske hospital. A match and a faith tea followed.

During the afternoon ski races proved all part of the fun in Fore Street and Beaminster. Dorset Big Band played, and a junk band and Christian rock band entertained. Dudley Youth choir from the Midlands sang in the streets, and gave an evening concert at the Wesley church when John Poole was the compere.

Sunday morning saw the Mills Milk fun run being held for the 13th year in succession, this year attracting 376 runners. The 6,000th runner in those years proved to be six-year-old Hannah Pollard who received a gift token from Graham Mills, event organiser and sponsor. The three and a half mile course was enjoyed by families as well as other runners, the first one home being Colin Bishop who had won for the past three years.

For the first time a cycle ride was organised by Matthew May in aid of cystic fibrosis and about 12 cyclists of all ages rode a seven mile course.

On Sunday evening the May Fair service was held in the Roman Catholic church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour where Rev Michael Lock welcomed all denominations to an ecumenical service. The address was given by Canon Perran Gay, chancellor of Truro Cathedral.