Update on our Village Fete 6th September and Plant Sale 17th May 2025

Update on our Village Fete 6th September 2025
and Plant Sale 17th May 2025

We held our first fete committee meeting on 12th March where it was fantastic to see most of the fete committee members from last year with Abbotts Ann Community Organisations represented including Church, Am Drams, PTA Primary School, WI, Sports Field, Handbells, Church bells, Village Shop and Village Hall. 

We welcomed Sophie Longstone representing the Abbotts Ann Primary PTA. 

Jane Wiggs and Lisa Hillier will be stepping down as Coordinators of the fete BBQ and Bric-a-Brac stalls after many years and concentrating on other aspects of the fete. Both committee members have done a sterling job and we thank them very much. 

At the time of writing we are looking for a volunteer to run the Bric-a-brac stall. Please let me know if you might be interested. 

At our meeting it was decided we will hold the fete in the village centre for 2025 and will plan our entertainment and content around the church, Eagle Inn and village hall. 

So far we are lucky to rebook John Dawe from the 2nd Andover Sea-scouts running the ever popular model railway and coconut shy.

Our own talented Abbotts Ann Handbells group will also be playing. 

Our fabulous local Ukulele group has confirmed their attendance. The group recently supported the TVBC cultural event and have a new regular slot for an elderly luncheon club in Ludgershall. They will be supporting Purpleoak (MIND) in partnership with Andover Rotary group in May and playing in Andover on 29 March for Andover Rocks! This year the Ukulele band  will be playing at the Eagle Inn on fete day. 

The Middle Wallop and Andover Military Wives have just confirmed their fete attendance so we are getting a fantastic repertoire together! 

We are intending to have some more music playing in the pub in the daytime. Butler’s Rats our local band will be playing in the evening for the after fete party. 

We are also very pleased to announce we will be holding the Children’s Disco again immediately after the fete in the village Hall, run by the primary school  PTA.

So far we have some new entertainment – Jamie Sleeman and his Dunk Tanks!! This has been a popular stall at other local fund raising events although maybe not so popular for the poor soaked victims… 

Ida Cohen from the band “Show Ponies” will be performing a duet with her  band member! So lots to enjoy. 

If you’re interested in baking for the fete, our local McDougall’s Flour  Mill in Andover have kindly offered free self raising and plain flour which will be available from our shop in August. 

As mentioned previously the fete could not be successful without all the village volunteers who help in so many ways. We hope we can count on you again. Thank you. 

Regarding external volunteers we are grateful this year to the Andover Police Cadets, Bluebird Care Staff and Tesco’s Community Champion for volunteering again for fete 25 after doing a brilliant job last year. 

Bluebird Care have also confirmed they will be our main fete sponsor and we will be hearing a lot more from this prestigious organisation in the next few months. Their MD Norman Murphy, Senior Team and staff are extremely keen to get involved. 

I will be posting further fete  updates in the coming weeks.

Plant Sale Saturday 17th May 10.30- 12.30 Village Hall

Plans are well underway for the ever popular plant sale on 17th May.

We are delighted Bill Easterbrook, our village gardening expert, will be joining us and offering advice. 

Like last year we have secured a selection of plants from the following local plant centres, nurseries- Leckford Nursery, Dobbies, Rosebourne( Hilliers), Vigo Nursery/ Blake & Sons Ltd and Kirton Farm Nursery ( Hairy Pots! )

However we are also very grateful for any donations from your garden/ green house like cuttings, bulbs, seedlings, seeds for us to sell. Thank you. 

There will also be some interesting external stalls in the hall selling fudges, cheeses and other goodies! 

Like previous years we’ll hold a raffle, sell teas and coffees and  delicious bacon rolls. All food kindly provided by the Eagle Inn. 

Please come along! 

Thank you for supporting these  village events. 

Best wishes

Anne 
Fete25  Chair 
Mobile 07718 900856
Email anne.cunningham@abbottsann.com