On behalf of the St Martin’s Guild Fete Committee, thank you to everyone who supported, helped with, and came to the Fete.
A huge thank you must go to Toby and Sarah Ward for allowing us to use their field for the Fete, as well as to the Stargroves estate, especially Charlie Sheppard, who did a great job in preparing our parking field.
Despite a rain shower arriving at just the wrong time to put people off coming, many still turned out and much of the afternoon was then blessed with sunshine.
Entertainment was provided by the East Woodhay Silver Band who were on fine form. In the Central Arena Sam Lomas from Kate Bowsher Dog Training ran the Family Dog Show. Also present and in fine voice was the Newbury Rock Choir putting in a first appearance at the Fete; we hope they will come again. Children also had plenty of entertainment with the Great Little Pony Company, face painting and, thanks to Andrew West, an enormous tractor to climb on, as well as lots of different games to play.
A big thank you also goes to Pete Mason and friends who brought some wonderful vintage cars for everyone to look at. Thank you also to the Bonsai Society for showing off their wonderful trees.
The provisional figures show that we made over £11,000 on the day and hopefully, including donations and after expenses are taken out, the total should be over £15,000. Individual stall figures will be announced later. Thanks to our site manager Graham Heald, to Hugh Titcomb and Rodolph de Salis who managed the parking along with Sam Coyne, Kit Tod, Guy and Carie Roots, to the gate keepers Elaine and Andrew Colville, James and Lucy de Alburquerque and Gerard Renouf and to the amazing tea ladies organised by Sarah Ede, with a special mention to her pot washers Richard Twallin, Mark Randall and Donald Mackinnon. Thanks also to Camilla West, Nicola Chapman, Fiona Hurley and all the volunteers from St Martin’s School who ran the spectacular Children’s Games alongside the EW Cricket Club, the Young Farmers and the Woolton Hill Argyle Football Club.
Thanks to the Wheatman family for their beer and Pimm’s tent, Anne and Tim Aston’s Granny’s Attic, Jackie Wake’s East Woodhay Artisans who had sewn and created so many beautiful items, the Roskill family’s Ice Cream stall, Rhona Everard’s cake stall, Jenny Sanders’ Books, the Wilsons’ Tombola, Sarah Porter’s wonderful plant stall, the Foxons’ Sausage Sizzle, Jonathan Hopson’s incredible raffle and Jonathan Harris and Butler’s hot air balloon.
Thank you also to those from the Community that came to promote themselves; Neighbourcare, the East Woodhay Village Hall, the East Woodhay Parish Council, the East Woodhay Society and the East Woodhay Flower Show, as well as the many willing volunteers who put up the tents, manned the stalls and sideshows all afternoon, put it all away at the end of the day.
Thank you everyone.
Sarah Leventhorpe on behalf of the St Martin’s Guild Committee