Silver lining for Speen fete

More than a thousand people gathered on the Speen Recreation Ground to soak up the sun and enjoy a range of traditional activities and events including a coconut shy, tombola, egg-and-spoon race and various children’s races.
The six-a-side football tournament, organised by Cold Ash Boys and Girls Football Club, proved a hit once again and featured teams from Thatcham, Cold Ash, AFC Newbury and Woolton Hill.
There was also a range of stalls selling goodies, including a bric-a-brac and a plant stall.
Meanwhile, a tea tent and a barbecue provided welcome refreshments to those basking in the glorious sunshine which emerged after the thunder and lightning in the morning.
The fete has already raised in excess of £1,300 – beating last year’s total – with more money still to be counted.
All proceeds will go to local good causes including Robert Sandilands School, the Pensioner’s Christmas Lunch, Majendie Hall Community Project and St Mary’s Church.
The chairman of the fete committee, Brian Nobes, said: “When we were trying to set up in the middle of the storm at 8am I wasn’t holding out too much hope but fortunately the weather turned and in the end we had some beautiful sunshine.
“This year broke all records and we had a wonderful day. There were a lot of happy faces.”