I don’t know what my main worry was in the hours leading up to the fete; was everything going to turn up?, were we going to get as many stalls as possible under cover?, were we going to satisfy all the stallholders requests?, was the fete going to have to be cancelled………?

Well nearly everything turned up and what amazed me was the determination and eagerness for everyone to get the fete up and running. I never heard a single suggestion about cancelling the fete and people seemed very philosophical about the weather.

I think my biggest fear that nobody would turn up. I was told that already by midday the queues would stretch all the way down the road. I took a look at 1.00 and there was nobody there. Sorry, there was one person so I went and asked whether she was waiting to come in. No, she said, she was waiting for her boyfriend. What, I said, are you both planning to visit the fete? No, she said, we are planning to go out and have some fun. I wished her well.

I came back at 1.45 and there they were and when the doors were opened, there appeared to be a constant stream.

Yes, numbers were down but the regulars and supporters were there. I wondered what it would take for them to make their annual pilgrimage.

And yes, they spent generously. I received a text from Terry Moon who was in his office with his family and dogs. The light was still shining in the late evening hours so I started thinking that maybe some serious money had been raised. Well the outcome after several re-counts – after one member of the family tripped over a dog lead and tipped all the money onto the floor – was a great surprise.

WE RAISED A STAGGERING £8,260 AT THE FETE ALONE

Well done everyone and I think under the circumstances you all did a wonderful job, thank you from us all on the fete committee. Without you there would be no fete

Regards

Ricky
Richard Booth