Sparsholt Village Fete returns with Pimms, tea and cakes

With live music, traditional games and many beverages to enjoy, hundreds flocked to Sparsholt near Winchester on Saturday, June 29, to experience a Great British fete.

The sun beamed down on the centre of the village as guests poured their Pimms, and made their way around the various stalls to purchase crafts, plants, raffle and tombola tickets and more.

READ MORE: Hampshire village fete returning with Pimms, tea and cakes

Hilary, Joy, Susser and Cathy - aka the Pimms team (Image: Newsquest)

The Chronicle caught up with various vendors and attendees at the fete, including Hilary, Joy, Susser and Cathy - aka the Pimms team.

Hilary said: "It's great to see the Pimms team back together again, and I'm looking forward to this bumper event and raising money for good causes. The weather couldn't have been any better for it."

Chez Govinden was the Fete Queen (Image: Newsquest)

Chez Govinden was the queen of this carnival, dressed in vibrant colours she told the Chronicle how she takes the carnival theme "very seriously".

She said: "The fete committee needed to get someone to open the event and I cheekily joked saying I would volunteer. They took me seriously and now I take this very seriously."

Guests were treated to musical from the Lockerley Silver Band.

George Bisson, the chairman, said: "We love this venue, and we're glad we were invited to play again. We filled in a gap a few years ago and have been involved ever since. We're currently on the lookout for some new members if anybody would like to get involved and play at events like this."

A cake stall provided much-needed nourishment to all in attendance. It was operated by Cathy, Zoe, Tonia, Janet and Jemma who said: "We're looking forward to serving lots of people in the beautiful weather."

Nigel and Jo West ran the raffle stall (Image: Newsquest)

Nigel and Jo West were in charge of the raffle, which had the grand prize of afternoon tea at the House of Lords. They said they were excited for the day.

PCSOs Michelle Wilkinson and Kerry Croutear were running a community engagement stall, promoting the 'Let's Talk' campaign which encourages residents to share their views on issues which affect them.

They ran finger-printing activities and provided information on the latest scams to avoid.

Meileen Young, Anne Fairey, Anne Pease, Mary-Jane Smith and Ron Choules  were in charge of the plant stall (Image: Newsquest)

Meileen Young, Anne Fairey, Anne Pease, Mary-Jane Beith and Ron Choules were in charge of the plant stall.

They said: "We're raising money and are thankful to have a lot of our plants donated by the Hairy Plant Pot Company, Sparsholt College, Tesco, Wickes and Anne Fairey's garden.

"Everyone has been brilliantly kind, we're hoping not to take any plants back home."

Darcey, Eliza, Poppy, Benji, Theo and Hugo (Image: Newsquest)

Also on display were various classic cars, including Jaguars and a Ferrari, as well as traditional games and the opportunity to throw sponges at people in the stocks.

Children enjoyed a number of activities including tractor rides, a treasure trail, wellie wanging, a children’s entertainer, coconut shy and much more. 

The day was concluded with a parade of floats and attendees headed to The Plough Inn for an evening of music and food.