THE fete season in West Somerset is well underway with two more village events held at the weekend in Nettlecombe and Sampford Brett.

Nettlecombe church fete attracted large numbers of visitors on a sunny Saturday.
Nettlecombe church fete attracted large numbers of visitors on a sunny Saturday. PHOTO: George Ody. ( )

In Nettlecombe, the church fete on Saturday (June 8) drew crowds of local residents who took advantage of the sunny weather to attend the annual event.

Gemma Smith tries her hand at 'welly hanging' at Nettlecombe church fete.
Gemma Smith tries her hand at 'welly wanging' at Nettlecombe church fete. PHOTO: George Ody. ( )

The fete, held in the grounds of Nettlecombe Court, raised thousands of pounds to support the upkeep of the parish’s Church of St Mary the Virgin and is its the largest fund-raiser of the year.

The Watchet Hedgehogs stall with Heidran Humphries, Sue Gannon, Jane Sharp, Lynn Cook, and Teri Lowther.
The Watchet Hedgehogs stall at Sampford Brett with Heidran Humphries, Sue Gannon, Jane Sharp, Lynn Cook, and Teri Lowther. PHOTO: George Ody. ( )

As well as the traditional bric-a-brac and tombola stalls, coconut shy, and homemade cakes and jams, the fete featured a clothes sale and children’s games.

'Splat the rat' proved a popular activity at Sampford Brett village fete.
'Splat the rat' proved a popular activity at Sampford Brett village fete. PHOTO: George Ody. ( )

The entertainment included Malcolm the Magician and live music, while a Pimms and cider bar was also popular.

A plant stall inside the church featured unsold plants donated by Home Start West Somerset from a plant sale it held recently as well as garden tools given by locals.

Jackie Heard and Angela Wood dance to the music at Nettlecombe church fete.
Jackie Heard and Angela Wood dance to the music at Nettlecombe church fete. PHOTO: George Ody. ( )

St Mary’s forms part of the Quantock Towers benefice, which has been expanded to include Sampford Brett, where another traditional village fete was also taking place in The Old Rectory Gardens on Saturday.

Malcolm the Magician entertains young visitors to Nettlecombe church fete on Saturday.
Malcolm the Magician entertains young visitors to Nettlecombe church fete on Saturday. PHOTO: George Ody ( )

It was organised by Sampford Brett Activities Group (SBAG), which distributes the money it raises among various local organisations at its annual meeting in November.

Taunton Ukelele Strummers Club performing at Sampford Brett village fete.
Taunton Ukelele Strummers Club performing at Sampford Brett village fete. PHITO: George Ody. ( )

Among the stalls were Watchet Hedgehogs, Exmoor Honey, and a guess the weight of the cake competition.

The Sampford Brett village fete barbecue did a roaring trade on Saturday.
The Sampford Brett village fete barbecue did a roaring trade on Saturday. PHOTO: George Ody. ( )

Entertainment included Taunton Ukelele Strummers Club and a performance by Sebastian Tesouro on guitar and Ben Modley on flute.

Nettlecombe's Church of St Mary the Virgin provided a backdrop to the annual fete on Saturday.
Nettlecombe's Church of St Mary the Virgin provided a backdrop to the annual fete on Saturday. PHOTO: George Ody. ( )