THE SUN shone as hundreds of visitors flocked to Charminster’s annual village fête.

The event attracted more than 1,000 raised more than £6,000, up from last year’s total despite fears from organisers that the event might be affected by access issues caused by bridge works on the main road through the village.

Secretary to the fête committee Gloria Ashwell said the event was a traditional English fête and was very much a village affair.

She said it owed much to the combined efforts of villagers from Charminster and Charlton Down, with residents from both communities involved in the setting up and taking down of gazebos, running stalls, manning the gates and car park and also supporting the day by coming along with their friends and families.

Mrs Ashwell said: “All the stalls did a roaring trade, also so did the many attractions - the dog show was great fun, and so was the children's tug-of-war.

“The Sylva Band played and sang familiar favourites throughout the afternoon - many feet were tapping, hips wiggling, and voices joining in with Volare and other jaunty tunes.

“The beer tent and hog roast provided popular refreshment, and of course, the ladies of Charminster WI were busy from the moment the gates opened, to when they closed at 5pm, serving teas and delicious cakes.”

The fête committee and its chairman Richard East have expressed their gratitude to all those who were involved in any way with the planning, preparation and staffing of the event as well as those who supported it on the day.

They also expressed a special thanks to Eliza Oxley for providing the venue of Charminster House for the afternoon and the provider of the field for car parking.

The bridge over the River Frome has caused the closure of East Hill Road through the village as work is carried out in an attempt to alleviate flooding issues.

Fête organisers had been keen to get a message out to potential visitors before the event that there was still access via a footbridge over the river and the healthy turnout suggested it had not impacted on the fête.

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