After two years of lockdown this year’s Felpham Village Jubilee Summer Fete 2022 was a huge success. Visitors came from far and wide, with over 2000 attending during the course of the day, drinking a record breaking 550 cups of tea and raising around £5000 to be spent on community events in Felpham.

The ‘Heavy Gang’ (society members) appeared early in the morning to set up the equipment and gazebos and take them down when finished.

The Entertainment was excellent from The Caribbean Steel Drums, The Duck Pond Sailors and The Silhouettes, enjoyed by children and adults alike. The great sound system was provided by Murdo, our sound engineer and a member of the FVCS; with our MC the entertaining Bob May (May’s Estate Agents). The two jointly ensured everything ran smoothly on stage and pulled the whole programme together with ease including The Teddy Bear’s Parade. There were games for all the family, the most popular being Splat the Rat, the Medieval Fruit Machine and The High Striker with Val Morris overseeing this section helped by other FVCS volunteers and the local Scouts.

Plenty of stalls arrived ranging from Wooden handmade gifts, jewellery, cakes, flowers, hand-made soaps, soft homeware and paintings. Several stalls sold out and have already booked for next year.

The Tea Tent (organised by Jane Summerville and her enthusiastic team of helpers) had its best year ever serving in excess of 550 cups of tea. Delicious cakes were made by our members all of which were bought and eaten (nothing left over).

The BBQ was a huge success, thank goodness they were situated in the shade as the chefs would have frizzled too as it was such a hot day. They worked non- stop throughout the day, with some youngsters helping serve too. What a great team they made. This year we added Veggie burgers to the menu, (all made by our local Butchers – Gaterells), so every taste catered for. Sold out by 3pm.

The Pimm’s and Beer Tent (and water too) had queues of people wanting to quench their thirst. The Ice Cream van was very popular, with a crocodile line of people waiting to cool down for a slurp of locally made ice cream.

BBC Radio Sussex recorded live from this event and interviewed Ross Fisher and a member from My Sister’s House, both having stands at the fete to promote their activities. Ross was aiming to row around the Isle of Wight to donate to a worthy local cause – My Sister’s House, which he did the following day as tides, winds and weather were on his side. He managed it within 3 days.

Nett profit for this event was approximately £5000.00 which will go to help next year’s hanging baskets (cost £2,500+ for plants and watering), Poppies up in November; Christmas Tree lighting in December and other local projects in the community. In the past we have provided tables in Old Rectory Gardens, painted the bridge at Longbrook Park, lighting for the Christmas Tree (Butlins donated the tree) and recently we part funded improvements to a local footpath.

We thank all the local businesses who sponsored sections of this event, advertised and or gave raffle prizes. Bay Tree Estates for the Programme Prize; Abacus for sponsoring the Entertainment; Milestones – the Tea Tent; Inspirations Hair and Beauty – Family games and fun; Teddy Bear’s Parade sponsored by Jackie Scott - specialist property lawyer; The Fox Inn – the Pimm’s Tent, Butlins; The Beachcroft and Brooke’s Lounge for their raffle contributions. Also to Celia Rose, Helen Gagan, Gaterells of Felpham, Darren Mills, Allbright, Mitsuyo House of Flowers and Carlyle’s Café, Abacus, Inspirations, Beachcroft, Bridle Opticians - all who supported our programme. Thank you.

A wonderful day was had by all.