STEAM engine whistles blew, dogs barked and the sun shone when Huish Champflower held its late summer fête and dog show.

Old favourites such as the golden bucket, which reached a prize value of £48, skittles, find-the fiver and whack-a-rat were joined by a new addition in ‘Play Your Cards Rights’.

This was situated between Daisy the cut-out cow, offering visitors a chance to polish their milking technique, and a defibrillator training tent where they could learn to save lives. There is a defibrillator in the Village Hal, donated by the British Heart Foundation and available 24/7.

Books, bottles, plants and bric-a-brac stalls did a roaring trade, while hundreds of fête-goers kept the kitchen volunteers busy for three hours, serving tea and jam scones. They also cleared the WI table of its home made cakes, pickled eggs and other produce.

Mike White’s steam engine rides delighted those brave enough to sample the complex pleasures of old-style travel, complete with squirts of oil and ear piercing shrieks from the whistle.

In the dog show, sponsored by Skinners Pet Foods, WH Hendy and Verm-X Natural Animal Health Products, Tommy and Kerry Pincombe led the judging in the main ring, with Caroline Green and Jo Hutter running the agility classes.

Results in tomorrow’s Free Press (September 27)