Yattendon and Frilsham Village Fete returns for another ‘fantastic’ year

A historic village fete celebrated a “fantastic” return on Bank Holiday Monday (May 26).

Despite some light showers, the Yattendon and Frilsham Village Fete, opened by Lord Iliffe, saw hundreds of families enjoy a wide range of activities, stalls and local produce.

New attractions included an expanded area for the Fun Dog Show, a roaming bagpiper and not one but two steam engines, once a common sight in the countryside.

A baking competition, Christmas tree throwing, tug o’ war and egg throwing also kept visitors entertained throughout the day.

Publicity and marketing officer Claire Quirke, involved since 2016, said at the event: “It's started off quite nice and sunny and to be quite honest, it's got busier this year quicker.

“We've got things like the new steam engine. We've got weavers in the back that we've not had before. There's some new stalls.”

She continued: “There's a committee of eight of us and lots of other people that volunteer as well.

“We start organising each fete after Christmas. That's when people start booking stores and we start trying to book acts and activities.”

Greenham Common historian Jonathan Sayers, from Thatcham, added: “For the first time ever, I had the joy of hurling a Christmas tree.”

The fete raises a vast sum of money each year for local charitable causes.

Most of the proceeds are allocated to the Yattendon and Frilsham Sports and Social Trust, which supports local schools, churches, village halls and children’s groups.

This year’s event also supported Eight Bells for Mental Health, Projection Vision from neighbouring village Hampstead Norreys and Newbury Riding for the Disabled, which returned for the second time.

Last year’s event raised more than £27,000 for local charities thanks to a record-breaking attendance with around 4,000 visitors.