Crowds flock to fete in sunshine

HUNDREDS of villagers descended to Nettlebed’s recreation ground to enjoy the annual fete.

Under the scorching summer heat, family, friends and their four-legged furry friends enjoyed a variety of traditional and unconventional fete activities.

The event, organised by the Nettlebed Sports Association, raised approximately £6,000, which will go towards upgrading the pavilion in the recreation ground.

Around £10,000 is needed to complete the work, which includes decorating and improving the exterior of the building.

Family-friendly classic games included: hook a duck, coconut shy, hoop throws and target football. All of which could be purchased for as little as £1 for prizes.

Guests could also ‘soak the cricketer’, partake in wheelbarrow racing with a friend and get their face painted.

Stalls on display included the Poppy Appeal, local Henley honey and exotic animal holding including snakes, spiders and lizards.

Due to popular demand, the teddy tombola stall completely sold old two hours into the fete.

Anne Jackson, a semi-retired worker from Nettlebed who was leading the tombola stall, said: “The kids just loved it. Once they spent their money and once, they kept coming back again and again. I think we’ve made around £300, which is incredible.”

Children danced, clapped and sang along to songs including ‘Baby Shark’ by performer Bertie Slippers.

Residents could quench their thirst at the pop-up bar with draught beer, including Moretti and Pimm’s, and ease their hunger at the pizza truck.

Dogs and their owners paraded around a closed pen in front of residents and judges for rosettes and goodie bags under seven different categories.

The winner of the category ‘Most like their owner’, was owner Milo McGinn, 13 with his girl Cavapoo, Nala.

He said: “I feel very proud of my dog. I feel like a good owner. She’s been working hard to get the same matching fringe as me.”

Sarah Whittaker, 54, a full-time veterinary nurse from Nettlebed, won the ‘Waggiest tail’ category with her furry companion, (DOG NAME in notepad to be added), an eight-year-old Labrador cross-working cocker.

Juno, a five-year-old black flat coat retriever was the winner of the ‘Prettiest bitch’ category, also described as ‘canine beauty queen’.

She previously won the category two years ago.

“We took no risks and gave her an extra groom today, which was a great move”, said owner, Kris Love, 38, a self-employed worker from Nettlebed.

A three-year-old black labrador named Freddie won the ‘Handsomest boy’ category.

His owner, Simon Matthews, 33, a BT worker from Henley, said: “I feel like an incredibly proud dog parent. He really is a lovely boy who deserves all the appreciation.”

Zephyr, a brown flat coat, was the winner of the final category, ‘The dog the judge would most like to take home’.

Other categories judged included ‘Best young handler’ and ‘Best trick’.

Towards the evening, a team of children competed in a friendly game of tug of war, preceded by a competitive adult male game.

Organiser and chairwoman of the association, Jodi Butler, said: “We have some amazing things on, there’s something for everyone. It’s been absolutely amazing today; I couldn’t have asked for anything more. So many people have come together to have fun and raise money and just come out and have fun in the sun too. This just shows you the power of a great community.”

A Nettlebed resident, Kat Cornfield, an Environment Agency worker, was visiting with her husband.

The 45-year-old said: “We come every year and help to organise it. It’s always sunny and lots of people come and the village really supports it, which is great to see.”

Youngster, Indigo Roadstone-Foister, 5, said: “My favourite thing of today was getting flowers for mummy and buying some dog toys. I won at the ring throw too on the last time, and I was really happy.”

Following the fete, guests partied into the night to club classics, performed by a local DJ.

They were entertained by local bands and circus acts including a fire-breathing entertainer.

END

2406702 – 704: Milo McGinn, 12, with his Cavapoo, Nala. Winner of ‘Dog most like their owner’

2406705 + 712: general dog show images

2406713 – 705: Sarah Whittaker, 54 from Nettlebed with her Labrador cross-working cocker, Sorrell, who won ‘Waggiest Tail’

2406716 + 717: Kris Love, 38 from Nettlebed with his black flat coat retriever, Juno. Winners of ‘Prettiest bitch’.

2406718 + 719: Simon Matthews, 33 from Henley with his black labrador, Freddie. Winners of ‘Handsomest Boy’

2406720: Zephyr, a brown flat coat and winner of ‘The dog the judge would most like to take home’

2406721 – 727: Performer and children’s entertainer Bertie Slippers

2406728 – 732: Soak the cricketer

2406733 – 736: Hoop throw

2406737 – 739: (L to R) Winners of the wheelbarrow race, Jamie Palmer. 26 and Sam Butler, 22

2406740 – 744: Human fruit machine

2406745 – 7465: (L to R) Margaret Butler and Anne Jackson, who sold out the tombola with more than an hour to go

2406747: coconut shy

2406748 – 755: Penny Brake, 5 and Indigo Roadstone-Foister, 5

2406756: children’s tug of war

2406757 – 7564: adult’s tug of war

2406765 – 768: Entertainer, Bertie Slippers