After opening the fete, the Mayor of Ferndown, Councillor Lawrence Wilson, said: “It’s great to see so many people here today and good to get the community together after the pandemic. I’d like to thank everyone involved with organising the event. Without the volunteers this wouldn’t have happened,”

Free to enter, the popular fete has built greatly over the years and 2022 saw thousands of people thronging to browse the many stalls and enjoy the variety of entertainment. Last year the fete had gone ahead, albeit within the constraints at the time of the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2020, like other events, it had been cancelled.

Verwood Concert Brass opened with an up tempo Spanish march, Amparito Roca by Jaime Texidor.

Krazy Kev delivered family entertainment; dancing displays were heartily applauded and included Holly Copse Molly, and Irish dancers from the O’Leary Academy; there was a substantial classic car show with some historical emergency vehicles such as an impressive horse drawn manual engine from Lymington. Birds of prey flew in from Liberty’s Owl, Raptor and Reptile Centre in Ringwood. Entries to the dog show classes were £1 and Turndown at Ferndown – for the BMX riders – was just £3 to enter. Not forgetting the fun fair rides for the kids, a beer tent for the adults and a live broadcast by Forest FM.

Sarah Beasley-Cook and her family had booked a stall at the fete to showcase their bespoke gifts for the home. She said, “About a month ago we started our family enterprise, The Finishing Touches. This is our very first stall. It’s exciting to be here.”

They joined regular stallholders including John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation (JTYAF), Ferndown branch of the Royal British Legion, and Squadron 2358 Ferndown Air Cadets who were all present.

Organising chairman, Rotarian Bill Dinwoodie, said: “All members of the Rotary Club have been working hard since January to organise the Fete on the Field. Every ha’penny we make goes to local charities. It’s all part of us giving back to the community.”

He thanked the town council for the use of King George V Playing Field and for their support and in particular Councillor Terry Cordery, “He was very helpful and instrumental in guiding us,” he said.

The main raffle prize and charity fundraiser – a wheelbarrow of alcohol  – created a flurry of excitement when people saw it being pushed around the ground. And the lucky winner also received the wheelbarrow; not bad for a fiver.

The following day, as part of the event, the Ferndown 5k and 10k runs were held.