Ferndown Fete on the Field proves a winner

Ferndown Fete on the Field gets bigger every year and was hailed a great success by the organisers, Ferndown and Parley Rotary Club. The Mayor of Ferndown, Cllr Lawrence Wilson, called it “the best fete yet”.

It was a first appearance for a climbing wall and tunnel and a model steam train. All proved popular, as did the old favourite, a fire engine.

Verwood Concert Brass, Ferndown First School Choir, Charlotte Geary, the young Swing Squad of four boys and RJ’s SoulCoaster performed on stage, whilst in the arena the Liberty Raptors and Urban Cycles attracted crowds.

Around the perimeter were 80 stalls, as well as the huge classic car section and the catering vans.

The John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation stand saw a steady flow of visitors with queues forming for Hook A Duck. Nick Pulford helped Linda and Peter Thornton and their volunteers raise funds by selling a variety of his home-grown plants, and author Janine Pulford boosted funds even more by signing copies of her novel ‘Paws in the Flood’. The stand raised £800, including a mystery donation of £500.

Linda Thornton said: “Every penny will make a real difference to young people in our community over the coming months.”

The Rotary organisers thanked “Rotarians and their families who volunteered on the day, and everyone who came to make it the success it was.”

An eye-popping wheelbarrow of drinks was won by Miguel Prior, and the second prize of a hamper went to Sally Buglass.