Treo & Metheringham Fayre & Feast - October 2010

In 1987 the travelling showmen, whose families had supported Metheringham Feast from Victorian times, threatened to pull out because of an apparent lack of interest. Fortuitously, the then Clerk to the Parish Council, Michael Credland, became aware of the situation and presented an idea to the Council to complement the Feast with a Street Fayre to attract visitors to the village in the hope of saving the age old tradition.

Consequently, on Saturday 18 October 1988, the main village High Street was closed to vehicular traffic and lined with some 60 market stalls, and together with street entertainers, exhibitions and displays, the revival of Metheringham Feast had begun. The weather was glorious, the crowds appeared and the event was adjudged to have been an outstanding success.

With this foresight, Metheringham Parish Council has now developed Metheringham Fayre and Feast into one of the largest events of its kind in Lincolnshire, attracting many hundreds of visitors from all over the East Midlands. Each year is still a challenge for the Parish Councils, Working Party, but with themes and celebrities carefully chosen to open the Feast, such as Hannah Haxwell, Olympic Swimmer,Paul Palmer, Dennis McCarthy, Dave Bussey, Christopher Chittall, Veronica Capaldi, The High Sheriff of Lincolnshire and Eddie Shaw from Lincs FM Radio, to name a few, its future, hopefully, continues to be assured.

Metheringham Feast has a long tradition of being a community event and a reason for families to return to the village. Whilst over twenty years ago this aspect was also on the wane, it has now returned with new families to the village having latched onto the time honoured tradition by inviting their families back from all over the country and across the world. The event is certainly community based and families from the village and surrounding area are more than encouraged to attend.

Choosing a suitable theme for the event has become more and more difficult and after much deliberation, it was decided, for this year, to have "Heroes and Heroines". Selecting suitable celebrities too, has become more demanding so if anyone can come up with a suggestion for 2011, please get in touch.

This year, it was a spark of genius from Mike Reynolds, the leader of the Parish Council's Working Party, who suggested we invite one of the most highly decorated guests ever, to open the 23rd holding of the event. Having, himself, attended the Armed Forces Day at Lincoln Castle in June, he was so taken aback by the appearance of their special guest, he felt we too might go down the same path.Taking his idea back to the working party they unanimously agreed with his idea and the wheels were put in motion.

Thus, on 23 October, Treo (a jet black Labrador,) Army Search dog, along with his proud handler, Sgt Dave Heyhoe, made the official opening of Metheringham Fayre & Feast.

Treo is certainly, special dog as he holds the canine equivalent of the Victoria Cross, the Dickin Medal , for saving scores of British troops and civilians in trouble strewn Afghanistan.

Dave and Treo were attached to 104 Military Working Dog support Unit, Royal Army Veterinary Corp, based at North Luffenham in Rutland. Treo was initially in danger of being put down as a puppy, due to behavioural problems, but after completing a 12 week training course at the Defence Animal Centre in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, he was turned into a gutsy canine, and in the words of his handler Dave Heyhoe, "he is the best military dog I have ever served with".

After the intensive training, Treo spent three years with his initial handler in Northern Ireland before being taken over by Dave. Dave went on to say "To be a successful and effective military dog there has to be a close rapport between handler and dog. Both parties have to work in harmony with each other to such an extent the dog knows exactly when he is called on to carry out a search. He is not just a dog but a very good friend and we looked after each other."

Together, Dave and Treo, spent many six-month tours of duty in Afghanistan. Treo's heroics first occurred in March 2008, whilst working as a forward detection dog in Sangrin, Helmand Province. Then he found an improvised explosive device known as a "daisy-chain" (several bombs tied together like a daisy-chain), laid by the Taliban, by the side of a path, for the sole purpose of killing or maiming NATO troops.

Then just months later, in September, Treo saved an entire platoon from serious consequences by finding another "daisy-chain". During their tours of duty there is no doubt the actions of Treo and Dave have saved both soldiers and Afghan civilians from death or serious injury. For these reasons Treo was bestowed with the prestigious award, but Dave would be the first to say he was more than proud to receive the award on behalf of all handlers and their canine friends in all war zones across the world.

Now aged 9 and retired, Treo received the Dickin Medal at the Imperial War Museum in London in February 2010. The medal is awarded by the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, an animal charity. Maria Dickin introduced the award in 1943 to honour the work of "animals" during wartime exploits. It is a large bronze medallion, bearing the words "For Gallantry" and "We Also Serve" within a laurel wreath, carried on ribbon of striped green, dark brown and pale blue. Between 1943 and 1949 the award was present 53 times with recipients included 32 pigeons, 18 dogs, 3 horses and a cat.

Treo became the 62nd recipient of the award and the 27th dog to receive it. Over recent years the award has been predominantly presented to dogs and without doubt Treo and his handler, Dave, have more than earned their military retirement in South Lincolnshire.

At the recent reception of honoured guests at the Metheringham Fayre and Feast, Sergeant Heyhoe gave a moving speech in response to the thanks, bestowed on him and Treo for their attendance, by the Chairman of the Parish Council Dr, Michael Allen. He told those gathered that, following his service in Afghanistan, he was slowly recovering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. And being invited to open the Metheringham Fayre and Feast was not only an honour but a great tonic to him, allowing him to soak up the kindness and enthusiasm of the whole occasion and for this he was eternally grateful.

Pete Ford