Three years in a row we had been lucky with the weather. Would we make it four? Unfortunately not and, as the Spaldwick Social Group stood in the playground at 7am, the question on everyone’s mind was: should we hold an outside event in the rain? After much deliberation, it became apparent that, if we didn’t hold it that day, then we wouldn’t be able to hold it at all. So the decision was to go for it!
The field where we traditionally hold most of the events was unusable and we had to hastily relocate the entire Fete onto the playground. Sadly, we had to cancel some of the performers, including an archery display from Hinchingbrooke Archery Club, the Spaldwick Maypole Team and the charity football goal.
In true Spaldwick style, marquees came from all over the village and we ended up with 20 marquees erected on the playground. Despite the weather, spirits remained high.
Spaldwick Queen Olivia Sturdy opened the Fete and the crowds rushed in, as the ‘Spaldwick Faithful’ refused to be deterred by the weather.
We had a number of guest stands including Bejazzled, Model Car Parties and Alconbury Stage Stars, adding to stands from our very own favourite shop ‘Number 12’, Escape Youth Group, Playtimes, FOSS, S-Club and the new Spaldwick Gardening Club.
Over 650 people came to the event, which is astounding considering how wet it was for much of the day. The event raised over £3,000, which (after covering expenses) will go to different Spaldwick groups.
When we decided to hold our first evening event, we guessed at 100 to 150 people attending, but, despite the weather, 250 people arrived! The free hog roast was beautifully cooked and Number 12 supplied its excellent potato salad and coleslaw. The live band gave us a night to remember.
A massive thank you to all of the Spaldwick Social Group, the stand holders that helped make the day, the band for a great night, the evening team for all their work and everyone that helped. Not least, thank you to everyone that turned up and supported the day!
Gavin Lessing-Caller (Chair of the Spaldwick Social Group)
View high-resolution photographs from the 2012 Spaldwick Fete