ORGANISERS held their breath at Saumarez Park yesterday – but rain clouds could not deter people from enjoying the 38th Viaer Marchi. The scent of homemade beanjar and the swilling of traditional Guernsey cider drew out the crowds last night, despite a downpour midway through the 19th-century celebrations.

The event, the biggest fund-raiser of the year for the National Trust of Guernsey, which has in the past raised as much as £40,000 before costs, offered visitors, young and old, a host of traditional local activities to watch and participate in.

Viaer Marchi chairman Roddy Dudley-Smith said the annual event almost did not happen at Saumarez Park.

‘Three days ago we didn’t know whether we would be able to have it here. The old area was pretty muddy but it wasn’t too bad in the new open-air arena,’ he said.

The gates opened at 5.30pm and the rain held off for more than an hour, but then the skies opened and it poured, drenching the maypole dancers, beanjar enthusiasts and thousands of attendees.

Trust member Richard Heaume said the Viaer Marchi was still as popular as it had ever been and that that was why people came, rain or shine.

‘Well, it’s a Guernsey meeting place,’ said Mr Heaume.

‘In the old days we had the assembly rooms at the Guille-Alles Library, but these days we don’t have an equivalent, unless you consider Beau Sejour to be a meeting place, but that tends to be sports-related.

‘Here, we have traditional Guernsey food and traditional Guernsey life – it’s exactly what a Guernsey market would have been like in the 19th century.’

There were stalls with books, treasures and pictures, craft demonstrations, side shows and plenty of Guernsey grub to eat.

As always the queue for beanjar – traditional and vegetarian – weaved its way through the many stalls.

Peter Yates, managing director of Sueco Outside Catering, expected to go through 200 gallons of the traditional fare.

‘It’s a special recipe passed down from the late Peggy Carey, who was a member of the National Trust, and we always use her recipe and everybody says it’s good,’ he said.

‘It’s just good old Guernsey nosh.’

The Guernsey Cider Company brought in 240 gallons of Scallywag.

Manager James Meller said the cider was, as always, going down particularly well.

‘I think it fits right in with the traditional feel of the market,’ he said.

‘Scallywag is a special brew made for the event. It is different from any other product that we sell – it’s still and slightly cloudy.’

Entertainment came from the Bailiwick of Guernsey Scout Band, Guernsey Light Infantry Cadet Force, the maypole dancers of La Mare de Carteret Primary School, the costume parade and the presentation of the Peggy Carey MBE Memorial Trophy for the best Guernsey costume.

School teacher Natalie Roe said she just could not keep away from the beanjar.

‘I absolutely love the beanjar and cider,’ said the 25-year-old.

‘I first came to Viaer Marchi five years ago and I didn’t even live in Guernsey then.

‘Now I come every year.’

Joyce Le Poidevin and her husband, Lloyd, had visited for the first time in years.

‘We thought it was about time we supported it,’ said Mrs Le Poidevin, 76.

‘It really is much better than we thought it would be.’

She said there was a fantastic community atmosphere, despite the poor weather.

‘There are a lot of people we haven’t seen in years.’