Category: Fete

Sadly, after much discussion, it has been decided that, for various reasons, the annual Whitchurch Village Fete will no longer continue.

This was a difficult decision for the Fete Committee to make, having held yet another successful event on the Fete’s 41st birthday in 2018; but with increasing Health & Safety considerations and fewer volunteers (not to mention the fact that those on the Committee are unfortunately not getting any younger!), it was felt that it was time for the Fete, in its traditional format, to come to an end.

Since it started in 1977, when a small event was held to present souvenir plates to village children under sixteen years old to commemorate the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, it has provided an enjoyable August Bank Holiday community event, attended some years by around 3,000 people and has raised thousands of pounds for local charities and organisations. A variety of stalls were on offer, with entertainment in the arena, popular Dog Shows and Horse Shows and flowers, vegetables, crafts etc. in the marquee, as well as bar, refreshment tent and children’s games and sports. Celebrities gave their time to officially open the Fete – from BBC’s presenter, Alex Lovell to Peter Rabbit and even a Minion! Barn dances and car boot sales were also enjoyed by many over the Bank Holiday weekends.

The Committee would like to thank everyone who has been involved and supported the Fete in one way or another over all the years.

After another successful Whitchurch Village Fete on the August Bank Holiday Monday, the Committee was able to donate cheques totalling £5,250 to 19 local charities/organisations at their Presentation Evening at the Whitchurch Royal British Legion on November 22nd.

Recipients were:-
Freewheelers Blood Bikes
Enchante Baton Twirlers
Pegasus Hawking Birds of Prey
107th Bristol (Whitchurch) Scout Group
Shaolin Wushu Martial Arts
RBL Poppy Appeal
St John Ambulance
St Peter’s Hospice
The Littlest Rescue
Barbarians Rugby Club
St Bernadette Primary School
Funding Animal Futures
Radio Bristol Alive Appeal
Jake Ogbourne
St Bernadette RC Church
Marmalade Trust
Gympanzees
Holly Hedge
St Nicholas Church

Despite the Sunday Car Boot Sale being a washout, Whitchurch Village held a successful August Bank Holiday Monday Fete and the local community – with their 4-legged friends – enjoyed being entertained and educated by Oldland Brass Band, Enchante Baton Twirlers, Shaolin Wushu martial arts, Ferretworld and Pegasus Hawking as well as the Family sports.

The Fete opened with waves from Peter Rabbit and Mini-on lookalikes, from Special Occasions Mascots and Fete Prince & Princess Seweryn and Brooke in their bright blue beach buggy, followed by The Littlest Rescue’s Chewy the Bunny Car.  

 The marquee was filled with beautiful flowers, photographs, arts and crafts, including a hedgehog made of grapes & 3 kiwi tortoises!

 The field was full of dogs, big and small, taking part in the Dog Show, sponsored by Highcroft Vets, and visitors were able to find out about, and support, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Holly Hedge, Forever Hounds Trust and Funding Animal Futures charities.

A huge thank you to those who collectively contributed hundreds of hours over the weekend and throughout the year to put on the event and to all those who had stalls and attended, also the 107 Scouts and the Bristol Barbarians RFC  for the parking. And ‘Thank you’ to all those who sponsored activities and donated prizes. Proceeds from the event will go to local charities and organisations.  

The sun shone brightly on Whitchurch Village Fete’s 40th birthday and local folk (& their canine partners) made the most of the chance to meet up with friends and enjoy being entertained by events in the arena, including Concord band, Enchante Baton Twirlers, Shaolin Wushu martial arts, family sports, Ferretworld and Natalie White’s Dance School.

The Fete opened with waves from Paw Patrol lookalikes, Skye and Marshall from Special Occasions Mascots and Fete Princesses Mollie, Charlie & Ruby Hall in their bright blue beach buggy, followed by The Littlest Rescue’s Chewy the Bunny Car & life-size Bunny, Dermot O’Leary!

The marquee attracted a record number of entries and was filled with beautiful flowers, vegetables, arts and crafts, including a satsuma snail & an aubergine penguin!

A1 Pegasus Hawking gave the chance to handle their birds of prey,

dogs braved the heat to enter the Dog Show and children had fun on teacup rides, trampolines, bouncy castle and traditional games such as roll-a-coin and table skittles, as well as learning about Guide Dogs for the Blind and more. The Tea tent team sold their delicious cakes, and volunteers of all ages again worked together to make the day as successful as possible. The Barn Dance in the marquee with the ‘Granny Smiths’ on the Saturday night was enjoyed by all.

A huge thank you to those who collectively contributed hundreds of hours over the weekend and throughout the year to put on the event and to all those who had stalls and attended, also the local Scouts who did a great job with the car parking in the Barbarians Rugby field. And ‘Thank you’ to all those who sponsored activities and donated prizes. All proceeds from the events will go to local charities and organisations.

If this weekend event is to continue next year, more volunteers are needed – please, if you can spend a few hours a month, or help over the weekend,

phone Ashton on 01275 832148

or email Whitchurchvillagefete@hotmail.co.uk

or send a message via Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/whitchurchvillagefete/.

Whitchurch Village Fete’s 40th Birthday three-day event starts on Saturday August 26th with a traditional Barn Dance
with the ‘Granny Smiths’ at 7.30pm in the marquee in Greensmore Field (alongside the A37) – £5 adults, £1 children.

On the Sunday, there will be bargains galore & free parking at the Car Boot Sale from 11am to 2pm
and on the Bank Holiday Monday 28th August, the annual Fete will provide great entertainment for the whole family.

The Flower Tent will be open to accept entries from 9.30am to 11.30am. Adult and children’s entries are welcome
(eg flowers, fruit & veg, baking, wine, photos, arts & crafts) and a list of classes can be obtained from Ann Edwards on 01275 892128.
Gates open at 12pm and the Fete will be opened at 1pm Fete Princesses Molly, Charlie and Ruby Hall from the Young Seekers at St Nicholas Church.

Stalls and attractions include children’s games, skittles, birds of prey, dog agility, alpacas, classic vehicles, stationary engines,
fairground rides, wood craft, raffles……

We also have the ever popular tea tent, bar and Dog show, as well as arena events which include Ferretworld (race the ferret!), family sports,
Natalie White dancers, Enchante baton twirlers, Shaolin Wushu martial arts & Concord band.
And “The Pups are coming to Town” for the toddlers!
(Paw Patrol Lookalikes).

Do come along to support us and join in the fun – there is something for everybody.

Entrance: £2.50 Adults, £1.50 Children and OAPs.
Free parking in the Barbarians Rugby Club off Norton Lane.
Proceeds go to local charities & organisations.
If you would like to help on the day/during the weekend, or book your stall in advance,
please contact Ashton Broad on 01275 832148 or
email
whitchurchvillagefete@hotmail.co.uk

For further information, see

www.whitchurchparishcouncil.co.uk

or

www.facebook.com/whitchurchvillagefete
.

Flower show

Make a note now of the date of the 2017 Whitchurch Village Fete weekend,
held in Greensmore Field (alongside the A37 for those who don’t know)
over the August Bank Holiday weekend, 26th – 28th August.
It’s a special one this year, as it’s the Fete’s 40th birthday!

At the Fete on the Monday (Aug 28th), we hope to have 40 dogs in the Dog Show, 40 raffle prizes donated,
a 40-meter dash for 40-year olds as well as a 40-feet fancy dress race for the children – and 40 giant/odd-shaped fruit/veg in the Flower Show in the marquee! – so start growing yours NOW…

It would also be great to have 40 new volunteers to help over the weekend/on the Bank Holiday Monday, and 40 stalls at the Car Boot Sale on the Sunday (Aug 27th).

There will also be an event in the marquee on the Saturday evening (Aug 26th) tbc.

If you’d like to help , or have a stall on the Monday, please email
whitchurchvillagefete@hotmail.co.uk
for more info or a booking form,
or phone Ashton on 01275 832148.
And for further updates, watch out on here, or see
www.whitchurchparishcouncil.co.uk

Make a note in your diary now!