Music and ponies

Quite a few of the horseboxes stayed overnight in the car park. This morning there were ponies being loaded, small dogs (and a standard poodle) running round, and people brewing tea before they set off for home.
Mary told me that she had the B&B full of horsey people, while Black Swan cottage was full of musicians. Mr Babb, the conductor, had persuaded her to put them up for free. The concert, by the Rochford Ensemble, was at the church last night, and celebrated the 150th anniversary of Elgar's birth with music by Vaughan Williams, Delius and, of course, Elgar. The proceeds of the concert were split between the church and Hay School.

A couple have been going round town today asking locals to fill in a questionnaire. They are thinking of buying one of the pubs that are on the market here, and want to do some market research before they commit themselves - which I think is a very good idea. Among other things, they're asking which pubs are most and least favourite. For me, it's the Three Tuns (which is lovely to go in now, and has a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere) and The Wheatsheaf - not because it's a bad pub, but because it's where the younger crowd tend to hang out. I'm more of an oak beams, open fire, good real ale sort of pub goer.