Records fall as crowds flock in sunshine to Roadwater annual fete

ROADWATER village fete broke all records on Saturday with scorching sunshine, capacity crowds, and takings of £9,707, the highest in the event’s history.

A spokesperson said: “It was a perfect day.

“We had a wonderful crowd who helped us raise an amazing amount which will help running costs of our hall and recreation ground.”

Entertainment was provided by West Somerset Brass, South Coast Waves Cheerleaders, Punch and Judy, and a popular duck race.

Popular attractions included stalls and games, a well-supported flower and produce show with classes for baking and preserves, handicrafts, photography, and children’s design, art, and writing.

The spokesperson said: “Thank you to all our helpers and supporters and those who spent their money so generously.”

There had been some worries about entries for the produce show because of the continued dry weather.

However, there were plenty of entries in all flower and produce classes which were all up to the show’s usual high standard.

Also well supported were the classes for baking, preserves, handicrafts, photography, and children’s categories.

Next year’s fete will be on Saturday, July 24, at 2 pm.

Any constructive suggestions and ideas for it will be welcomed and can be sent via the village website or to [email protected].

Anybody who would like to help next year can also send their contact details.

The first fete meeting will be in March next year in the Valiant Soldier.

The village hall and recreation ground are used increasingly for events and meetings and provide a beautiful venue, with a marquee used to house the produce show and for other village occasions.

RESULTS (1,2,3 order)

Grow Your Own

20 gooseberries with stalks - Gerald Beaver, Andy Maddison; 20 raspberries or loganberries - Gerald Beaver, Jayne Cornish, Andy Maddison; A dish of currants with stalks - Jayne Cornish, Andy Maddison; Any other fruit - Liz Singer, Nancy Tickle, Nigel Grabham; 4 sticks of rhubarb - Jane Takle, Gerald Beaver, Jayne Cornish; 6 tomatoes with stalk - Jayne Cornish, Nigel Grabham, Gerald Beaver; 1 lettuce - Annie Channer, Nigel Grabham; 1 cucumber - Dennis Takle, Annie Channer, Nigel Grabham; 4 beetroot - Nigel Grabham, Matt Parker, Andy Maddison; 6 potatoes any one variety - Nigel Grabham, Andy Maddison, Gerald Beaver; 3 onions - Gerald Beaver, C Williams, Andy Maddison; 3 courgettes - Katie Berry, Nancy Marshall, Gerald Beaver; 12 pods of french beans - Katie Berry, Nigel Grabham, Philip White; 6 runner beans - Gerald Beaver, Nigel Grabham, Nancy Tickle; Any other vegetable - Gerald Beaver, Nigel Grabham, Rob Fox; Tied bunch of four or more herbs - Katie Berry, Nigel Grabham, Jayne Cornish; Longest cucumber - Jayne Cornish, Nigel Grabham; Heaviest potato - Bob Sharp, Gerald Beaver, Nigel Grabham.

Floral

Garden flowers in recyclable container - Katie Berry, Anon, Carol Prentice; Floral arrangement in a jam jar - Caroline Bradbury, Katie Berry, Carol Prentice; Table arrangement of flowers and foliage - Katie Berry, Jayne Cornish, Nigel Grabham; Jar of 5 different long-stemmed flowers - Katie Berry, Caroline Bradbury, Lynne Dunton; 5 roses any variety - Katie Berry, Jayne Cornish, Andy Maddison; 12 sweet peas single variety or mixed - Nancy Tickle, Caroline Bradbury, Annie Channer; 3 hydrangeas (single variety) - Jayne Cornish, Andy Maddison, Katie Berry; 5 dahlias any varieties - Rob Fox, Katie Berry, Andy Maddison.

Silver Challenge Cup awarded to Katie Berry.

Baking and Preserves

Victoria Sandwich Cake - Carol Prentice, Katie Berry, Sue Hole; Fruit Cake - Katie Berry; 4 rocky road - Katie Berry, Jane Takle; 4 savoury muffins - Nancy Marshall, Jenny Nethercott, Katie Berry; Jar of jam, jelly or marmalade - Susie David, Annie Channer, Jayne Cornish; Jar of chutney or pickle - Katie Berry, Nancy Tickle, Susie David.

Handicrafts

Painting/collage UK Coast path views - Janet Tindall, Jos Harrel, Peter Moss; Painting/collage/sculpture featuring people - Alex Clarke, Jayne Cornish, Jos Harral; Painting, Birds or Flying Insects - Tasmine Swallow, Lynne Dunton, Jayne Cornish; A craft item made from a book - Katie Berry, Tasmine Swallow; A twiddle muff - Lynne Dunton, Jenny Nethercott, Mo Best; Poem 12-20 lines any subject - Alex Clarke, Steph Miller, Mrs Crosslegged; 3 painted teabags - Katie Berry, Linda Bickford, Mo Best; A decorative fabric doorstop - Lynne Dunton, Mo Best, Jenny Nethercott.

Photography

Somewhere - Sally Holmes, Matt Parker, Sharné Hawkins; Someone - Ralph Hawkins, Carol Prentice, Jayne Cornish; Something - Ralph Hawkins, Jayne Cornish, Carol Prentice.

Ladies Trophy awarded to Katie Berry.

Children

Football strip design for Roadwater - Heidi Hawkins, Polly Newman, Cameron Harvey; A Decorative Mask any design - Theo Howker, Polly Newman, Lyra Cornish; A picture of sunflowers - Lyra Cornish, Heidi Hawkins, George Short; Flash fiction 100 words, a day out - Heidi Hawkins, Jayden Cornish, Polly Newman; A creature made from a fir cone - George Short, Mia Cornish, Polly Newman; 4 chocolate brownies - Harrison Chinn, Polly Newman, Theo Howker.

Children’s Cup awarded to Heidi Hawkins and Polly Newman.