We saw Chas 'n' Dave on Sunday as part of the Lewisham Country Fayre. Their heyday was 1979, the same year as Joy Division's "Unknown Pleasures", The Fall's D"ragnet", Pil's "Metal Box" and the Gang of Four's "Entertainment" were released, and I now release that C'n'D belong in such hallowed company. Actually, no I don't, they were bloody awful.

Actually the event itself, the second of what promises to be an annual do, was pretty good-
"Lewisham kitschiest country fayre is back for its second successful year and will include floral frocks, prize jams, London's meatiest sausages and the best of Lewisham’s home grown talent. With Chas ‘n’ Dave leading the knees up, the fayre promises to be a fun and funny (and free) day out as well providing a quirky celebration of Lewisham's rural history.

The setting, in the multi-award winning Cornmill Gardens, will offer locals and visitors a treat of open green spaces, revived railway arches and a stroll by the River Ravensbourne. Just like the old days."

Quite what C'n'D have to do with the countryside is beyond me. The only other musical performer we saw was the winner of "Lewisham's Got Talent" - a likeable young man who rapped. At very nearly 48, I can't really claim to be an expert in the field - but this personable chap's rhymes, which eschewed the ho's and guns cliches for a kind of Christian positivity, struck me like doggerel, but he had his fans. We missed Julie Felix (!) apparently.

I have a few criticisms, why were some of the child friendly stalls right by the stage? - it was far too noisy for our kids, and if you're going to have beer for sale, could we not have some real ale? I felt some more unamplified acoustic music would have been welcome- there are plenty of local folk musicians.

The event was, however, blessed with what seemed like the first sunny day for months, and I did like the idea of the "non-specialist, light-hearted" competitions - if I'd known about it I might have baked a cake - and there were some scrummy examples up there. There were plenty of "green" stalls, as well as an intriguing "seed swapping" stall (more info please) and a Children's farm which our kids loved - especially the ducks.
Cornmill Gardens is looking better and better too - I just wish we could hurry up and sort out the surrounding area - there have been parades of shops boarded up awaiting demolition for years now (including the intriguingly spelt/no relation "Sandhersons")...

Next year I'll bring my bike for a check-up, a cake, and some proper beer to consume.

We left to strains of "Gertcha!" echoing in our ears.