Villages come together for fete (and try pulling apart)

BIX fete and dog raised £2,500.

Residents of Bix, Lower Assendon and Middle Assendon gathered on Bix Common for the annual event.

Attractions included swing boats, tug of war, a barbecue, tea and cakes, a tombola, raffle and live music from Watlington Concert Band.

The dog show was judged by Laura Poole and Carol Crowdy, of Woofits Walkies, a dog walking service in Henley.

A tug of war team called MA Tuggerz, made up of residents of Middle and Lower Assendon, beat a team from Bix in a best of three.

The proceeds will go to Bix church and community hub.

Organiser Kevin Duthie said: “The fete has been going for as long as I can remember but it’s only in about the last 10 years or so we have had the dog show as well.

“It’s a fun dog show so it’s not too serious and it draws a good crowd.”

Val Johnstone, from Middle Assendon, said: “The fete is brilliant, a real family friendly fun afternoon.

“My dog Eldo entered the dog show in the sausage catching competition but was hopeless. He lost the first three in the grass and then spent the time trying to find them rather than concentrating on catching the next.

“He did, however, win a second prize rosette for friendly old dog.”

Barbara Liptrott, 94, of Fair Mile, Henley, said: “It’s a treat and a half to come — the swing boats remind me of when I was a child.”