VILLAGE LIFE - VILLAGE FAIR 2011

 Produce & Competition winners

Well - it had to happen one day and obviously 2011 was the year it was going to happen to us! The Fair committee were on the field at 6 a.m. securing marquees and setting up the arena, putting down "no parking" cones and numerous things. At 10 a.m. the field was so wet that "early arrivers" were slipping and sliding on the field and churning it up in such an alarming way. We had phone calls from some of the entertainers who said they were not prepared to be in the rain and when we looked at the weather forecast it was rain, rain, rain all day. We had an emergency meeting and made a really difficult decision to cancel the outside events but keep the inside events going.

 

We can only apologise if you were upset or disappointed when you arrived at the field to find less going on than usual. Nobody however was more disappointed than the Fair committee. To cancel months of hard work and preparation in less than a few minutes was so difficult for us and made worse by the fact that the weather cleared amazingly quickly in the afternoon.

 

However - on a bright note:

  • The football tournament went ahead and there were lots of smiling faces at the presentation.

  • The W.I. still served teas and everything was sold. The pig roast  and round Table BBQ still went ahead and lots of food was consumed.

  • The Church was packed with activities and displays with home made refreshments, and the popular trips up the tower still went ahead.

  • On an even better note, we had record entries in the "Produce Tent" and we were really pleased with the increase in entries from children.

  • The raffle sales were excellent and it is this alone that the fair Committee need in order to pay for next years event, so a huge thank you to everyone supporting the raffle.

  • Despite having less outside activities we still manages to raise just over £1,000 with a few donations outstanding.

Thanks must go to the following as without their help the fair would not be able to continue:

  • Noel Baker - Photography

  • Jill Hutchins & The WI for brilliant refreshments

  • Raffle donators (Produce & Competition winners)

  • Raffle sellers - Jane Shepherd, Carol Maquire, Nicky Gaunt, Lily & James, Alison Bird, Vernon Gibberd, Reg & Edna Helson, Leesa Cole, Vicky Downey, Pat Hearn,, The Utting family, Mary Nash, Sue Davies, The Fair Committee.

  • Dave Pullen for the use of the parking field

  • Jono Watson for the programmes

  • The Godsell/McNab Jones' for their cheese

  • Leonard Stanley School

  • Mike Merrett for first aid

  • Simon Stroud for presenting

  • The Parish Council for help with Public Liability Insurance

  • Produce Judges - Clare Hankey, Zoe Kingston, Jane & Pete Davies & Beat Lusty

  • Rudairidh Gaunt for the pig roast

  • Everyone who helped on the rota

  • Anyone else who helped and we have forgotten.

And finally: Most of the activity organisers/entertainers have said they will return next year. We have yet to set the date but as soon as we know we let you know via the newsletters, magazine and website.

 

We are always looking for new ideas so we can improve year on year and welcome any feedback (good or bad) you might have

 

Thanks to the brilliant Fair Committee who worked extremely hard for months before the event.

 

Nicky Gaunt 821623

Pat Hearne 823728

Harvey and Bobbie Ireland 821674

Ann and Mark McTaggart 825563

Paul and Maggi Mukasa 822318

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