UMBRELLAS were essential but it didn't stop the crowds enjoying the Randwick Wap festival on Saturday.

The popular Wap dates back to the Middle Ages when it is thought to have initially been a celebration which followed the building of the fourteenth century Randwick Church.

History reveals that one of the original church builders was ducked in a nearby pool by his workmates for being drunk, which is why the ceremonial ducking of the Wap mayor takes place to this day.

The Wap was revived by the late Rev Niall Morrison in 1972 after being halted in 1892 due to what was thought to be over exuberance amongst festival gatherers but the event has flourished ever since then.

Festival spokesmen Stan Giles was far from despondent despite Saturday's showers. "It was overcast with some rain but it didn't dampen our spirits one bit," said Mr Giles. "It was an excellent day and everyone worked so hard to make it happen."

The proceeds from this year's Wap will go towards the Randwick Village Hall fund to support the renovation and expansion of the village hall. Saturday's Wap started with the enthroning of the mayor for the day Joy Kennard.

A colourful procession followed led by Morris dancers with the mayor and Wap queen Claire Rendell who were carried shoulder-high flanked by flag boys and girls, cheese bearers and princesses. Traditional wet mop's were then swung in the air as the rain fell to clear the route through the crowds.

The procession wound it's way to the Well Leaze for the rolling of whole Double Gloucester cheeses with both the mayor and queen each rolling a cheese down the steep slopes three times.

Afternoon fun at the Randwick playing fields included a multitude of events featuring a compelling Tudor dance demonstration, dog obedience classes and a ferret education talk.

The day was made even more special with the news that the festival had raised a large amount of money to the delight of organiser Stan Giles. He said: "We have raised more than £2,000 which is great."