Fun at the Fete

Despite a very wet start to the day on Saturday morning 7th June, organisers stuck confidently to their plans to keep Haddenham's traditional village fete in the picturesque outdoor setting of Church End Green and Flint Street, and the afternoon was graced with lovely summer sunshine. The popular annual event drew a large crowd of visitors, all eager to join in the fun and enjoy the spectacle.

After the official opening, conducted by Rt Hon John Bercow, MP and Speaker of the House of Commons, guests were able to enjoy the many attractions including lots of stalls, sideshows, and a very wide selection of food and drink — including candy floss and lots of ice cream, of course!

Traditional attractions for the youngsters included duck fishing, a broken crockery shy, a 'test your strength' bell strike, wet sponge throw and a bouncy castle. There was also a full scale fire engine and a glider to explore.

Meanwhile, many adults were attracted to the large number of impressive local gardens thrown open to visitors for the day, while others made a beeline for the beer stall courtesy of the Haddenham Beer Festival committee and the Pimms tent provided by the Village Society.

Throughout the afternoon Haddenham Hoofers demonstrated their unique blend of metal shod dance, derived from Appalachian origins, and this was interlaced by another form of foot-tapping entertainment from the Ian English Jazz Trio.

Warm thanks and congratulations were extended to Tim Armitt and his team for all their hard work in organising and hosting such a memorable community event. It is anticipated that over £3,000 was raised during the day and all funds will go to support various local good causes.

In addition to the direct fete activities and attractions, the open gardens together raised £716.11 (over £100 more than in 2013) which will be divided equally between the Florence Nightingale Hospice and the fete charities. Organisers would like to thank the following folk for opening their gardens to visitors:

• Mary and Chris Wellby — The Malthouse, 4 Church End
• Margaret Walshe — 9 Church End
• Lizzie and David Banister — Manor Farm, Church End
• Ros Welch — 5 Flint Street Dormer Cottage
• Chris and Robyn Thorogood — 11 Flint Street
• Cynthia and Roderick Floud — Duck Bottom, 15 Flint Street
• Teresa and Dan Roberts — 8 Flint Street

(Click on any photo to see an enlarged view. Lots more photos in our GALLERY)