Post Fete Report

2025 Upton Fete

The Fete took place on 12th July on a glorious summer’s day, thanks to BHI yet again for allowing us to use their grounds and facilities.

It had the same look and feel as previous years with a few additions. The Bar, BBQ, Refreshment tent, Raffle and Tombola were their usual success stories. The fete rocked all afternoon to music by Pesky Alligators and Ellie Owen.

The star of the Show was our recently retired Postman Nigel Papworth who opened the fete and then along with his wife Helen, helped Upton’s oldest resident, Mary ‘Berry’ Hall, judged the Baking Competition. Nigel was also presented with his retirement gift and card from the village wide collection in the last 6 months.

Visitors from the village and local area enjoyed the usual favourites of have a go stalls plus children’s and adults’ races. There was a mix of small independent stalls selling clothing, crafts and gifts plus Cider and Honey. Argent theatre put on shows throughout the day to celebrate 50 years of amateur dramatic performances, many previously in the village. The hot weather saw the Dog show cancelled but it will hopefully be back in 2026.

 

An addition to this year’s fete was the ‘Make, Bake and Grow’ Competition where villagers pitted their skills against each other to win a converted Fete rosette.

• The Scarecrow Competition, with a Disney Character theme, saw 16 entries displayed around the village in the week before the fete, it was judged by villagers who were encouraged to walk the village and score them against each other. Mary Poppins took the 1st prize red rosette for Rebbeca McNish. Watch this space for next year.
• The Chilli Competition gave those who will be competing at the Upton Cricket Club Chilli and Boules event on 30th August, an early chance to display their entries in a series of fun classes judge by Colin Brand. Sue Wood took the show champion award with Theresa Pick, Roger Gilmore, Len Brown and Jim Watchorn all winners taking red rosettes for their efforts. See you at the C&B event.
• The Baking Competition. – there were three classes with some fantastic entries.
  • Man in the Kitchen – a Victoria Sponge cake won by Mike Smith
  • Open class – Coffee cake won by Theresa Pick
  • Children’s Brownies split into two sections with Oliva Cox and Zackie Russell Brehaut as winners

Special thanks to

• All the helpers who worked in building the fete, manned the stalls on the day and then stripped down on Sunday. A great team of helpers, thanks – you know who you are.
• The X Keys, including the after-Fete party
• Everyone who contributed prizes to the Tombola and Raffle (£1000 value of prizes).
• All those who attended, we hope you had a great day. See you next year- why not join in next year, its put together for you.
• Finally, thanks to those on the Fete Committee.

 

David Pick.