ONE of the most popular village events on the West Somerset summer calendar has finally called it a day after 35 years in which it has raised more than £90,000 for cancer research.

“It was a very difficult decision to make,” said Maggie Pumphrey, who, with her late husband Bill, first held a Macmillan Cancer Support garden fete at their home in Trendle Lane, Bicknoller, in 1990.

“But it takes a lot of organising and this year has been a bit of a challenge and so the fete, as you have seen it for so many years, will sadly be the last.

“We needed £3,222 from this year’s fete to achieve our long-term target of raising £90,000 since the first event in 1990 and we have done it by raising £3,463.”

Maggie, who is chair of the Macmillan Cancer Support Coleridge committee, said: “I promised Bill I would keep the fete going for as long as I could after his death - he was 97 when he died in October, 2019, and I have done so.

“But, I cannot give up this annual event entirely so have decided that next year I will hold a garden party with a cream tea and West Somerset Brass band, a cakes and produce stall, a raffle, and around four or five sideshows.

“This will be easier to manage with the help of a small team.

“It will not be for Macmillan but for a local charity, most likely Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

“There are so many people to thank who have helped over the years and I think they all understand why this decision has been made.

“I really appreciate their support.

“My thanks to all who have provided bottles, raffle prizes, cakes and produce, items for sale, etc.

“The fete would not have been the success it has been had it not been for so many contributions of time and gifts.”

Since 1990, there has been a garden fete every year at the Pumphrey home, except for one cancellation in 2021 due to the Covid pandemic, all raising money for Macmillan.

What started as a small ‘one-off’ event grew each year and became, for many people, a highlight of their summer activities.

The fete, set in a garden with views of the Quantock Hills, Brendon Hills, and Exmoor, followed a traditional pattern but with original games invented each year by Maggie’s late husband.

The Coleridge committee, named after the late Julia Coleridge, of Bicknoller, has raised more than £350,000 for the cancer charity.

Maggie said: “With three members over 85 and another not far off, we may feel we have done our bit.

“But we shall see.

“I hope you will join us next year for a more leisurely afternoon listening to the band and raising money for a different charity.

“West Somerset Brass has been with us from the beginning, but some of the musicians playing at our last fete were not even born when we started.”