See you soon for a spot of panama doffing
I love this time of year. Apart from the improved climate, summer heralds the annual rash of fetes and fairs; quintessentially English events that involve two of my favourite things: homemade cake and brilliant bric-a-brac.
You always find treasure at a local fete. Last year our spoils included a book Mrs B loved as a child, a pristine vinyl collection of Noel Coward songs and two 1980s Barbie dolls with Dynasty hairdos and shoulder pads.
As well as bargain hunting, the refreshments and produce beat the pants off anything purchased in fancy delicatessens – the chutney! The pickles! The fairy cakes!
The only downside is between June and September I usually add at least half a stone to my already-generous frame.
And when you've trawled for treasure and stuffed your face, it's only polite to partake of the sideshows, and here there's fun and stress-busting opportunities aplenty.
The coconut shy, plate smashing, sponge throwing and Splat The Rat all provide excellent frustration alleviation, while tombolas, bran tubs and hook-a-duck games get the pulse racing as you pin everything on Lady Luck.
The arena displays are a mix of the perfectly dreadful and perfectly delightful. In recent years examples of both include an elderly belly-dancing troupe (dreadful, but hilarious) and a dog agility demonstration that was so impressive I scarcely believed my eyes.
But whichever, it's all part of this gloriously traditional summer scene, complemented of course by chaps in panama hats and ladies in floaty frocks.
Often these events are being held for a greater purpose than just community fun. Schools, charities and organisations all over the country hold summer fetes as much-needed revenue generators.
I've been a bit tardy in getting my fete schedule activated this year, but I'm kicking off on Saturday with the Parklands Community Primary School summer fair.
Priced so children can have fun, it takes place from 2pm to 4pm at the school in Durnford Close, opposite St Wilfrid's Church and the Sherborne Road recreation ground in Parklands, Chichester.
Confirmed activities include a trim trail challenge, tractor and trailer rides, an inflatable slide, a chocolate fountain, stalls, refreshments, a children's football penalty shoot-out, wet sponge throwing and all sorts of raffles and tombolas.
In these belt-tightening times, the good old British fete can provide a relatively cheap afternoon's entertainment, with your money going to support good and worthwhile causes. So keep your eye on this paper for details of what's happening when, and I'll see you for a spot of Rat Splatting, panama doffing and cream tea scoffing very soon.
All together now, I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts…
* The talented pupils of Chichester Dance Centre and Horndean Ballet School perform Can't Stop the Beat at the Alexandra Theatre, Bognor Regis on June 27 and 28. Dancing to music from West End productions, Disney Classics and pop, performers of all ages will provide tip-top dazzling dance. For tickets call 01243 861010.
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Weather for Chichester
Wednesday 30 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 13 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 25 mph
Wind direction: West
