It was an opportunity to villagers to get together and celebrate one of the greatest literary works of all time, while raising money for a charity that helps some of the poorest people in the world.

Royston Crow: The RMC Saxophone Quartet entertained in All Saints Church. PICTURE: Clive PorterThe RMC Saxophone Quartet entertained in All Saints Church. PICTURE: Clive Porter (Image: Archant)

After the success of last year’s bonanza, Melbourn celebrated its second ever Bloomsday event last week, with revellers dressing up in early 20th century garb to re-live scenes from James Joyce’s modernist novel Ulysses.

Chief organiser Hugh Pollock said: “The Crow reported earlier in the year on our group’s short story reading programme and our intention to mount James Joyce’s play Exiles in play-reading form, which featured prominently.”

There was also a lunchtime saxophone concert directed by Adrian and Naomi Brind, an afternoon of Edwardian crafts directed by Eirwen Karner, and the Cambridge based Orlando Singers in concert directed by Peter Horley.

The event also featured two prominent speakers on major international development issues, local creative writers speaking about their work, a major public lecture hosted by Melbourn Village College, rounded off with an evening of traditional folk music from Green Shoots in a local pub.

Royston Crow: Melbourn Village College students reading from Ulyyses at the Premier convenience store. PICTURE: Clive Porter.Melbourn Village College students reading from Ulyyses at the Premier convenience store. PICTURE: Clive Porter. (Image: Archant)

Hugh added: “It was all free with a donation to WaterAid welcomed. Not bad for a small group of volunteers.”

Royston Crow: Lunch time Edwardian music at the Dolphin. PICTURE: Clive Porter.Lunch time Edwardian music at the Dolphin. PICTURE: Clive Porter. (Image: Archant)

Royston Crow: The breakfast, depicting the scene from the book, but actually in Hugh's garden. PICTURE: Clive Porter.The breakfast, depicting the scene from the book, but actually in Hugh's garden. PICTURE: Clive Porter. (Image: Archant)

Royston Crow: Hugh Pollock, originator of The Melbourn Bloomsday Celebration Group, with Melbourn College Students, Olivia Greenway, Fred Close, and John Hinton, all of whom took part in readings from James Joyce's infamous novel Ulysses. PICTURE: Clive Porter.Hugh Pollock, originator of The Melbourn Bloomsday Celebration Group, with Melbourn College Students, Olivia Greenway, Fred Close, and John Hinton, all of whom took part in readings from James Joyce's infamous novel Ulysses. PICTURE: Clive Porter. (Image: Archant)