The challenge for the Fayre Committee was to try and replicate the successful event of 2022, and it is pleased to report their hard efforts in staging such an event were rewarded, and any doubts allayed with expectations exceeded.
Blessed with a fine and warm day over 2,000 visitors attended the Fayre and were treated to wide variety of attractions and activities with a countryside theme over a busy six hour period when the Fayre was open.
Although admission price for adults increased by £1 from £3 to £4, due to rising costs in staging the event, this still represented fantastic value for a family fun day out, continuing to offer free admission to children when compared to similar events - the Fayre is considered more than a Village Fete bordering on a One Day Show.
The entertainment in the Show Ring got underway with a parade of Thurlow Hounds with kind permission of Robin Vestey and followed this up later on in the afternoon by returning for a second time to allow later arrivals the opportunity to engage and meet up with the hounds close up, for which thanks go to Elliott Stokes and his team to control the pack especially as there was one incident in the Tea Tent and a cake.
The highlight of the day was the two eye catching displays of BMX Show with their tricks and flicks on their bikes culminating in exhilarating jumps over an ever rising bar and the Fayre Committee is grateful to local resident Keven Swales and his company KBS Construction and Groundworks in offering to sponsor them.
The return of the popular Let’s Go Alpacas and Gemma’s Farm Sheep Racing and also performance from Lisa Mason School of Dance in the ring kept the crowd interested in a packed programme.
Outside of the Show Ring there were performances from Markhele Magic Show who kept the crowd spellbound, Green Dragon Morris Dancers who invited the crowd to participate, and also Hadstock Silver Band entertaining those sitting by the W.I Tea Tent with their tea and cake, Fairground Rides, Crazy Golf, return of Pony Rides which proved to be very popular and a Land Train that went around the site.
The Fun Dog Show once again had a record number of entries for the nine classes, very ably organised by Jane Sheppard and her ladies, whilst Thurlow Garage Classic Car Show reverted to the main field in a revised layout that saw Craft & Food stalls located in half circle around these vehicles.
Ladies in the W.I. Tea Tent made sure they would not run out of cakes this year and takings reflected this.
All the catering outlets were well patronised and included a BBQ run by Keven Swales and his team for which he donated all profits to the Fayre.
The Show Tents assembled by a team made up of committee members and other helpers from the village saw Robin Vestey win the Archer Shield for most points scored in the Produce Show, Paula Chadwick the Margaret Ince Cup, and Alison Cracknell presented with the Susan Loveday Best in Show trophy.
The Bottle Stall saw nearly 400 bottles and cans that raised nearly £1,200 which is a fantastic record and thanks to all those from the village who kindly donated bottles.
The Raffle again turned out to be a major fundraiser with £1,186 worth of tickets sold with the incentive of a Golden Ticket prize of luxury weekend break for two kindly donated once again by Stephanie France and her company Professional Sounds Consultancy and won by her near neighbour at Lt Thurlow Green Jess Malings, with the winner of £100 Cash Prize Sam Fenner, another resident of Lt Thurlow.
There was also a display of names and photos collated by Alan Bumpstead of Thurlow History and also a Victorian Kitchen display.
The Fayre Committee would like to thank everyone for their support who contributed to making the day such a successful event whether it be helping with erecting and dismantling of marquees, field set up and signage, manning on day, donating bottles, buying raffle tickets, making cakes and the generosity of sponsors who help to keep admission price low.
We say goodbye to Dawn Abbey who has been a stalwart member of the committee both in W.I. Tea Tent and more recently organising the Craft and Food Fair and will certainly miss her enthusiasm and commitment.
The Fayre Committee is proud of its efforts in staging such a successful event with a record £10,400 to be distributed as follows:
Thurlow Fayre Committee
Blessed with a fine and warm day over 2,000 visitors attended the Fayre and were treated to wide variety of attractions and activities with a countryside theme over a busy six hour period when the Fayre was open.
Although admission price for adults increased by £1 from £3 to £4, due to rising costs in staging the event, this still represented fantastic value for a family fun day out, continuing to offer free admission to children when compared to similar events - the Fayre is considered more than a Village Fete bordering on a One Day Show.
The entertainment in the Show Ring got underway with a parade of Thurlow Hounds with kind permission of Robin Vestey and followed this up later on in the afternoon by returning for a second time to allow later arrivals the opportunity to engage and meet up with the hounds close up, for which thanks go to Elliott Stokes and his team to control the pack especially as there was one incident in the Tea Tent and a cake.
The highlight of the day was the two eye catching displays of BMX Show with their tricks and flicks on their bikes culminating in exhilarating jumps over an ever rising bar and the Fayre Committee is grateful to local resident Keven Swales and his company KBS Construction and Groundworks in offering to sponsor them.
The return of the popular Let’s Go Alpacas and Gemma’s Farm Sheep Racing and also performance from Lisa Mason School of Dance in the ring kept the crowd interested in a packed programme.
Outside of the Show Ring there were performances from Markhele Magic Show who kept the crowd spellbound, Green Dragon Morris Dancers who invited the crowd to participate, and also Hadstock Silver Band entertaining those sitting by the W.I Tea Tent with their tea and cake, Fairground Rides, Crazy Golf, return of Pony Rides which proved to be very popular and a Land Train that went around the site.
The Fun Dog Show once again had a record number of entries for the nine classes, very ably organised by Jane Sheppard and her ladies, whilst Thurlow Garage Classic Car Show reverted to the main field in a revised layout that saw Craft & Food stalls located in half circle around these vehicles.
Ladies in the W.I. Tea Tent made sure they would not run out of cakes this year and takings reflected this.
All the catering outlets were well patronised and included a BBQ run by Keven Swales and his team for which he donated all profits to the Fayre.
The Show Tents assembled by a team made up of committee members and other helpers from the village saw Robin Vestey win the Archer Shield for most points scored in the Produce Show, Paula Chadwick the Margaret Ince Cup, and Alison Cracknell presented with the Susan Loveday Best in Show trophy.
The Bottle Stall saw nearly 400 bottles and cans that raised nearly £1,200 which is a fantastic record and thanks to all those from the village who kindly donated bottles.
The Raffle again turned out to be a major fundraiser with £1,186 worth of tickets sold with the incentive of a Golden Ticket prize of luxury weekend break for two kindly donated once again by Stephanie France and her company Professional Sounds Consultancy and won by her near neighbour at Lt Thurlow Green Jess Malings, with the winner of £100 Cash Prize Sam Fenner, another resident of Lt Thurlow.
There was also a display of names and photos collated by Alan Bumpstead of Thurlow History and also a Victorian Kitchen display.
The Fayre Committee would like to thank everyone for their support who contributed to making the day such a successful event whether it be helping with erecting and dismantling of marquees, field set up and signage, manning on day, donating bottles, buying raffle tickets, making cakes and the generosity of sponsors who help to keep admission price low.
We say goodbye to Dawn Abbey who has been a stalwart member of the committee both in W.I. Tea Tent and more recently organising the Craft and Food Fair and will certainly miss her enthusiasm and commitment.
The Fayre Committee is proud of its efforts in staging such a successful event with a record £10,400 to be distributed as follows:
- Gt Thurlow Church: £2,000
- Lt Thurlow Church: £2,000
- Thurlow Village Hall: £1,000
- Thurlow Women’s Institute: £1,000
- Thurlow Sports Club: £1,000
- Thurlow Tennis Club: £1,000
- Thurlow Youth FC: £500
- Thurlow Tiddly Tots: £500
- Thurlow Cricket Club: £300
- Thurlow Village Link: £200
- Thurlow School PTA: £100
- Addenbrookes Charitable Trust: £200
- East Anglian Ambulance: £200
- Arthur Rank Hospice Charity: £200
- St Nicholas Hospice Care: £200
Thurlow Fayre Committee
