HAWKEDON FETE - AN INSIDERS VIEW

Tentative meetings are held in the build up to the fete, and numerous ideas are put forward. Fortunately, most of the proposals are rational, but the daft idea to fill a car with balloons somehow made it through.

The day before the fete, an enthusiastic band of helpers carry everything down to Hawkedon Hall; they set about erecting gazebos and shuffling the stalls around in an effort to optimise the layout. This shuffling will still be going on as the fete opens its doors. On the day of the fete, glorious skies and perfect temperatures indicate that the one big uncontrollable factor would be doing its absolute best to help us.

The fete opens, and a steady stream of early-comers (who mostly make a beeline for the bric-a-brac) suggest that the hours spent deciding how best to advertise the fete have not been wasted. When the stream of arrivals is still going strong two hours later, and the gardens of Hawkedon Hall are filling up, we can be sure that this year’s fete will have been a success. The bbq and the teas are doing a roaring trade, and the various throwing competitions are being kept busy by the promise of some fabulous prizes. The raffle for an extravagantly filled hamper is drawing plenty of attention, and the tombola is the first to sell out. The village produce stand is right next to the Stansfield Local Larder, and both are doing well. The now famous ‘Hawkedon Human Fruit Machine’ is taking a good number of pound coins, and paying out a generous quantity of sweets. Some stall holders are tempting the punters in with magnificently decorated head attire. There is a gentle but lively buzz about the beautiful gardens, the fete having given the perfect opportunity to enjoy what may be the last of the glorious summer weather.

And then it is over, and a very much depleted band of dependable helpers lugs everything back up the hill to the village hall. This is the worst bit, but the task is made less onerous with the knowledge that the fete has been a tremendous success. A superb total of £2,381 was raised.

A long list of thanks is due. If you came as a paying visitor to the fete we are most appreciative of your support. The organising team, and everyone who helped set up the day before, those that helped on the day, and those that put everything away afterwards, all not only make the day possible, but also make it special. Individuals were generous in their donations of raffle prizes, bottles for the tombola, and items for the stalls. Thanks are also due to the Queen’s Head in Hawkedon, and J R Humphrey & Sons in Clare for their kind support in providing prizes. Visit both, you will be pleased you did. Thanks also to David Burr for the advertising boards around the villages. Finally, we are gloriously blessed to have the hospitality of Tim and Linda Cawston who so graciously welcome the annual invasion, and cheerfully manage to contribute so much while their gardens are opened up to hundreds of visitors.

For those who having been worrying, it is with delight that it can be announced the Plob has found a delightful new home.

And for those who just want to know, there were 125 balloons in the car.  Four people guessed correctly, and the winner was drawn out of a hat.