Pebmarsh to revive village fete after 15 years to celebrate community spirit shown during coronavirus pandemic
Fifteen years after the last event of its kind, a traditional village fete will be resurrected this weekend to celebrate the spirit shown by the community amid the Covid-19 crisis.
Pebmarsh is hosting its first summer fete for a generation on Saturday, between noon and 4pm, featuring a wealth of activities aimed at all ages.
It is the first occasion organised by the newly-formed charity Pebmarsh Events, which was set up following the success of an impromptu Christmas fair held last year to acknowledge how the community had rallied when the outbreak began.
Organising committee member Sharon Donaldson, a village resident for around 30 years, said: “During Covid, as a small community, we really pulled together very well.
“We had a village shop start up and they did everything they could to help, like home deliveries to help vulnerable people, and there was a telephone system where people looked out for different households.
“Everybody just pulled together and, as we came out of lockdown, we thought it would be nice to celebrate our community.
“When my children were growing up, there always used to be lots of traditional fetes and we wanted to do something like that. We wanted to recreate a traditional village fete which has lots of things for children to do. It’s all in a really lovely setting.
“I think it has a real feel-good factor. We hope it will give everyone quite a boost and bring the community even closer. It’s a lovely village and we’re glad to put something back into the community.”
Sharon added that the response to this weekend’s fete will inform planned future events, such as an autumn boot sale and another Christmas fair.
Proceeds have also been pledged towards various local causes, including Friends of Pebmarsh Church, Pebmarsh Youth Club and the refurbishment of the village football pavilion.
Taking place at Snipelands in Colne Engaine Road, donated by local landowner Jonathan Nott, the fete will feature a bake-off tent, an exhibition run by Pebmarsh Art Group and a photography display and competition based on the theme of Pebmarsh in Lockdown.
There will also be a barbecue, a variety of craft stalls, traditional children’s games and afternoon races for all ages. Entry is £2.50, with children admitted for free.
