A Lark on the Rec

The District Council's crazily simple idea of devoting a family fun day of the year at some of the recreation grounds around town certainly has caught on.  There was a choice of five locations in Harpenden, Colney Heath, London Colney, Folly Lane (Victoria) and of course Fleetville.

Being an outdoor event it is heavily weather-dependent, and of course the only rain in the last week – and likely during the next week – arrived  at around midday on Sunday, just as Larks was about to begin.  The stage itself was under cover and the children's choirs and Fleetville Swing Band performed in the dry, but to few visitors.  Their efforts were rewarded by as many as could who left their stands and stalls to gather around the little arena.

The rain soon passed over and crowds soon gathered.  Although not quite up to last year's numbers, several hundreds had visited by the end of the afternoon, and most seem to still be there at 5 o'clock.  Can anyone put their finger on what makes Larks on the Rec a success year after year – for it is a regular success?  And what defines success for this event?

Judging by many visitors success comes from not being too organised, not being too intense and most definitely not about being constantly hammered for money.  So often we feel as if we must fill our pocket with loose change to satisfy the needs of the stallholders and organisers; two pockets if we are accompanied by children.  None of that was evident on the Rec.  Which encourages us to be generous on the odd occasion when we have the option to give.

"Will there be enough for people to do?" is often the worry.  It seemed that what people wanted most of all, was not to be entertained (although we were), and not to be given opportunities to fill every active second with "doing something" (although there was plenty to occupy us).  Instead visitors were happy to sit down on the grass, or come across people they knew and engage in conversation.  Often we would come across an informal activity created there and then in a space, wherever it could be found.

Larks is a smiling event, a friendly gathering of local people.  Conversations were often had with people they had never met before.  Those who live here possibly took it for granted, but the atmosphere certainly impressed a few who were just around for the weekend before returning home to other parts of the UK.  Larks on the Rec was most definitely in the spirit of the friendly district of Fleetville; after all, the Rec is at its heart.  Long may it continue.