Ferndown’s main summer event with arena displays, stalls and a car show took place on Saturday 19 June after being opened by Ferndown Mayor Julie Robinson at 11am.

Organised by Ferndown and Parley Rotary CIO, the fete had been cancelled in 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Mary Hayward and Patricia Morgan from Ferndown said they couldn’t wait to for the event having missed it greatly last year. Fay Whitfield from Canford Heath said it was lovely to get out with her children who were fascinated with the classic and custom cars.

As well as an avenue of stalls and arena displays including Liberty’s Owl and Raptor Centre, Krazy Kev attracted crowds of children shouting “Wibbly Wobbly Woo!” to help him with his magic.

Plaque unveiled

During the fete, the annual BMX competition hosted by Turndown@Ferndown, took place at the impressive new wheelpark.

The park had been the vision of a former mayor of Ferndown, the late Steve Lugg. His widow, Cllr Cathy Lugg, unveiled a plaque in his memory prior to the start of competition.

Steve Cartwright saw the wheelpark project through and paid tribute to Mr Lugg who had the vision for the park 10 years ago, but sadly didn’t live to see it finished. He said: “Steve gave up hours and hours of his time. Without him we just wouldn’t have this park today.”

Cathy Lugg thanked creative artist Louis Pulford for designing the colourful mural saying it was “a fantastic and unique design” and that Steve would be thrilled to know there was a plaque in his memory. She said she hoped “all our young people enjoy using this wheelpark.”

If the BMX competition was anything to go by, the park will be a busy one.

Children’s playpark officially opened

Just across the field from the wheelpark, the mayor officially opened the refurbished children’s playpark.

This inclusive and challenging play area is for children of all abilities up to the age of 14. Councillor Mike Parkes, chair of the town council’s KGV Project Delivery Group, gave a short speech saying the playpark formed part of the King George V campus redevelopment that began in 2016 after engaging with members of the public. “It was important to listen to younger people and parents,” he said. “The playpark was the icing on the cake and we’ve been almost speechless with the feedback. It’s been immense.”

Ferndown 10k and 5k run

On 20 June, the Fete on the Field continued with the Ferndown 10k and 5k charity runs, which started and finished at KGV fields. The course took runners on a circular route both on and off road across various terrain.

Charity fundraiser

All money raised at the Fete on the Field goes to sponsored charities, Rotary International and King George’s Field Charity (Ferndown).

Event director George Phillips said, “It was great to see so many people at this event over the weekend.”