'Celebrity Big Brother' stars at annual Nobber Fair

The sixth annual Nobber Fair was a huge success at the weekend, with a great attendance enjoying the music and attractions. Special guest at the fair was Paddy Doherty, who won 'Celebrity Big Brother' in 2011. He was accompanied by Sally Bercow, who was also in 'Celebrity Big Brother', and a film crew who were following them for a Channel 5 documentary titled 'Paddy and Sally's Excellent Gypsy Adventure', which is exploring nomadic culture in different countries, to be broadcast later this autumn. The crew filmed Paddy and Sally discussing tinsmithing with Tom McDonnell who, along with Michael McDonagh attended Nobber Fair with Navan Travellers' Workshop, with a stall demonstrating the skill of working with tin. Music included headliner Declan Nerney and his band, James Casey and Niall O'Reilly who play a mixture of folk music, bluegrass, traditional Irish and rock. The Castletown Accordion Orchestra, which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary, also performed. Ciara Field from Castletown was crowned Queen of the Fair and was handed her tiara from 2011 Queen Lisa Clarke from Nobber. Each year, money generated at the Fair through various initiatives, is donated to charities and, this year, a barbeque held at Keogan's Lounge raised money towards the refurbishment of St John the Baptist Church, Nobber. Since Nobber Vintage Club was formed in 2006, it has raised €95,000 for local and charitable organisations. The club has also raised money for defibrillators for Drumconrath, Castletown and Nobber Primary Schools and has also raised money towards the cervical vaccinations for these schools.