FOUR generations of a family from Fitzhead will be helping the annual village fete go with a bang again this year — including great-grandmother Anne Comins who has been involved for over 50 years.

Anne, 86, whose late husband Bob was born in the village where she came as a bride, says she would not miss the Fitzhead Fete and Flower Show for the world, and neither would her family.

While Anne still lives in Fitzhead, the rest of the family will be descending on the village from their homes in London, Bristol, Devon and South Wales, to help with everything from the fete prize draw and soft toy raffle, to making dozens of scones for the famous cream teas, and running in the children’s races.

“I love the fete,” said Anne. “I always like village things and this is a time when we get together and do something special. It’s also a chance to see people we haven’t seen for a while.”

Anne first started helping at the fete by selling ice-creams more than 50 years ago, when the event was held at different times in the large grounds of two village homes. She then held the prize draw for 40 years.

Her late husband Bob was also a familiar figure for years, organising the busy car parking at the cricket ground from when the fete moved there over 32 years ago, and where the pavilion is named after him for his contribution to the local game.

For Anne’s daughters, Jo Lamont and Sarah Lambert, coming to the fete every year is a must. They helped Anne with the prize draw for years, along with their brother Steve. Sarah still helps with that to this day, Jo and her own family do the soft toy raffle, games and more.

“I’ve only missed it twice in my life,” said Jo, who can still remember selling buttonholes there when she was six, along with her sister. “We come to help and it’s a chance for the family to get together and to see people we know.”

For the last few years Jo has also been a major contributor to the fete teas. She made 70 scones last year, using the same recipe from when she was head chef at Saltram House, the National Trust property in Plympton, Devon, and she will be doing the same this year.

Fortunately, she has plenty of extra help these days from her grand-daughter Isla, seven, who is following in her footsteps on the cooking front.

As well as helping at the fete, the family enjoy the rivalry of competing against each other in various flower show classes – which include everything from sweet peas and wonky vegetables to craft and cakes. Isla and her little sister Layla, three, say taking part in the children’s races is a definite highlight.

Fitzhead Fete and Flower Show is on Saturday, July 26, from 2pm to 4.30pm at the village cricket ground, and the village duck race is on Sunday, July 27, at 3pm, at Holcombe Farm.