IT was day of firsts at Micheldever fete on Saturday (July 20).

A sun-drenched Lord Rank playing field was the scene, as the annual fete swarmed with villagers ready to try their hand at anything and everything – from Splat the Rat to the ubiquitous coconut shy, and from horse-racing (of sorts) to the tombola, there was plenty on offer.

Drawing admiring glances at the back of the field was a 100-year-old agricultural steam engine named Cromwell – complete with a beautifully restored shepherd’s hut.

Mrs Molly Miller, of Essex, said the impressive bit of kit initially belonged to her late husband, Ron.

Their son, David Miller, of Micheldever Station, now owns the engine.

She said: “My son found the hut in a field with a tree growing through it about 20 years ago. The engine belongs to my son, and before that my husband, Ron. They bought it together and got things up and running.”

For the first time, the Chandler’s Ford Boys’ Brigade Brass Band treated fete-goers to everything from traditional march music, to themes from TV and film.

Bandmaster, Simon Farrenden, said: “We do quite a few fetes and we enjoy them. But this is the first time we have done this one, and it’s the first time they’ve had a brass band I think. So you could say a first for everyone.

“We have had quite a few people coming up to us and saying how much they enjoyed it.”

Music was something of a theme as, during a break in the dog show, youngsters from the Micheldever School of Drums showed a novel way of getting villagers tapping their feet.

With tennis balls attached to the tips of their sticks, they drummed away at several large plastic barrels, drawing cheers and applause around the ground.

Fete committee chair, Juliet Pattinson, said they hoped to break a new record for attendance too.

“Last year we took just over £6,000 and this year we’re hoping to raise £7,000.

“The steam engine is a highlight and this is the first year we have had a brass band for many years. It’s been fantastic so far.”