Ecchinswell May fayre attracts a huge crowd

Some 1,000 people swarmed into the grounds of the Royal Oak, Ecchinswell for fun-packed bank holiday May fayre celebrations on Sunday.
Hosted by landlords Chris and his wife Laura Webb, the event raised about £2,500 in funds, to be split between the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance and St Michael’s Hospice Basingstoke.
Mr Webb said: “More than 600 people were in the pub and grounds at any one time – they kept coming in waves.”
In the run-up to the fayre, a build-a-beast competition was held for the best model of a jungle animal. Some 19 entries could be seen dotted around the village, including a crocodile beside the village pond. The winner was villager Dave King.
“The judge just went for size and his (model) was massive,” added Mr Webb.
A human table football game proved highly popular, after 16 teams of three-a-side entered.
A barbecue in the afternoon was busy and evening hog roast sold out.
The fayre saw the return of the popular Bake-Off, along with a tug o’ war, gunge tank, plate-smashing and Punch
and Judy. There was also a boat race on the stream beside the pub, crafts and a ‘pre-loved’ handbag stall.
Evening musical entertainment for a 300-strong crowd was provided by homegrown five-piece band, The Ecchinswell May Fayre, organised by villager, Allan Unnuk.
Mr Webb said: “We have quite a few very good and famed musicians in Ecchinswell.”
He added his thanks to the volunteers for their help and the support and donations from the village.
“It showed amazing community spirit,” he said.