Village Voice August/September 2014 | Page 15

OLD ALRESFORD VILLAGE FAIR Bunting blowing in the breeze, a blue sky and warm sunshine, and Old Alresford Village Green was the perfect setting for a really traditional English village fair on a Saturday afternoon. Crowds gathered to watch the jolly Appalachian Dance Group 'Knickerbocker Glory' performing dressed in their bright blue outfits. Over in the Brook the Eastleigh Model Boat Club's remote controlled boats plied up and down the waterway and later the great duck race took over the water and was so popular they sold out of ducks. There was a long queue for ice cream and the chance to throw a pot on the potter’s wheel was a must for the children. The fun Dog Show attracted all shapes and sizes... dogs and their owners! Stalls were dressed to represent the teams in the Football World Cup. The plant stall, decorated with paper sunshades and flags, represented Japan and the stallholders sported elegant kimonos. The largest Bric-aBrac stall we have ever had, complete with old fashioned pram and cartwheel should have featured on TV's Bargain Hunt with its stallholders dressed for Greece. Fir trees sprouted on the Swiss book stall and the delicious cakes on the cake stall were served by two Mexicans complete with Mexican hats and moustaches. Bright and bold were the Brazilian team with their Grand Draw and the Youth Club brought along their inflatable kangaroo and flew the Australian flag. TOADS appeared in bright orange to cheer on the Netherlands and many other national flags flew in the gentle summer breeze. wonderful open top bus and gave free rides to and from New Alresford... much to the delight of all on the top deck, ducking low branches along The Weir. A wonderful array of prizes for the Grand Draw was headed by the first prize, an Apple iPad mini, generously donated by Alresford Salads, and won by Jill Buss. An Old Alresford resident won Tea at the Houses of Parliament with our MP Steve Brine. There were stalls, sideshows and refreshments and plenty for everyone to enjoy and of course Old Alresford wouldn't be complete without an abundance of watercress for sale donated by The Watercress Company. Thank you to everyone who helped, contributed and came along to support us on the day. The total raised was £5,100 and this will be shared between The Christy Hall, St Mary’s Church and The Amenities Fund. Some of the money raised last year was used to replace the crockery in the hall and used on Fair Day for the teas. With …… Free parking, free admission and a free bus ride it is a pretty super day out for all the family ...including the dog. Don't miss it next year! Anon Gundleton Honey Soft set honey: £4.00 ~ 1lb jar Beeswax hand balm: £5.00 ~ 60ml Beeswax lip balm: £1.50 ~ 5ml Adrian & Elaine Arnold Tel: 736419 King Alfred Bus Company brought their 13