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Brandeston Fete - 21 June 2008
It was one of the riskiest things the village could have done – move the fete from the village hall and playing field to the grounds of the Queen’s Head. There were the understandable mumblings up and down the Street about the move and the weather forecast threatened all week to be bad. On the day, the forecast seemed to be proving correct as at 1:00, while some of the stalls were being set up, we had really dark skies followed by rain. It was going to be a disaster without doubt.
 That, it turned out, was the end of any bad luck because from about 2:00 onwards, we had a cloudy day but not a single drop of rain came down and Brandeston people, plus people from neighbouring villages and people driving by, popped in to have a look around and enjoy themselves for the rest of the afternoon.
Dee Alderson (left), as a newcomer to Brandeston, formally opened the fete and talked to just about all the stall holders.
Unlike the playing field where the stalls tended to be spread out, they were squeezed into a much smaller area but as it turned out, this was a huge benefit because the intimacy and atmosphere of the event increased immeasurably.
The event took place alongside the three-day Brandeston Beer Festival at the Queen. This will be reported separately but it definitely added to the excitement of the day and was followed on Sunday with the Jazz and Hog Roast in the garden.
 It’s not clear at this moment how individual stalls actually did but several reported higher takings. Peter Arbon thought his takings for bowling were double last year’s, fashion accessories reported about three times last year’s takings and the bottle stall thought business was brisk right up until the end of the fete.
Children’s games made a welcome return and were organised and sponsored by Anna Carr of Ruby and Ted, Framlingham.
Rev Robin Alderson closed the fete and most reports from people who attended say that the afternoon went really well with a good village spirit clearly evident. There was still a biggish crowd at 5:30 after the grand draw and then people sat outside the pub until late evening.
And the financial result ... well, early indications are that we raised £3002 (to be shared between the village hall and the church fabric fund) – over £800 more than last year.
Photos from the fete.
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