"The Best Local Fête by Far"
A working mobile rack bench at Boarstall Fête 2011 (Photograph by Rob Dixon).

Boarstall Fête 18th June 2011

There is an old adage “If it ain't broke, don't fix it” and this must be familiar to the Boarstall Fête Committee as they know that they have a very successful formula that draws in the crowds. As a result, they don't make changes just for the sake of it. Yet they maintain variety by changing a few of the attractions each year, so a large audience of children were transfixed by Mr. Punch this year. The street entertainers were again very popular with the children, with a variety of apparatus that tested their juggling and balancing skills. There was a wonderful face painter, as well as children's side shows.

The friendly Thames Valley police had a stall and the ever popular fire engine from Brill attended, even though there was no fire. The alpacas had many admirers and many people tried their hand at the Aunt Sally and the bowling. There was an excellent tombola and many wonderful prizes for the raffle.

A unique feature of every Boarstall Fête is the extraordinary atmosphere created by the large numbers of relaxed and contented visitors, with plenty to keep them amused, whatever their age or interests. There are two distinct parts of the Boarstall Fête – the traditional village fête in the gardens of Boarstall Tower and the wonderful steam and vehicle rally in the adjacent yard belonging to the Cherrys. This has its own distinct atmosphere, created by the steam and the smoke from the many boilers, the noise of machinery and the smell of warm oil. Here there were working traction engines, steam rollers, steam, petrol and diesel stationary engines, as well as classic cars, lorries, tractors, motor bicycles, old roadmen's living vans, a showman's living van and even an ancient working log cutting machine.

The crowds wandered freely between the two areas, clutching a beer from the bar or a burger from the hot food stall, or purchases from the plant stall, the variety of excellent bric-a-brac stalls and handicraft stalls which reported excellent trade, as did the very popular cake stall. When visitors needed a rest, they could sit down for a relaxing cup of tea and a cake, listening to the wonderful playing of the Bletchington Silver Band, before venturing forth again, perhaps to climb up to the roof of the Tower.

On Thursday, the radar weather map had forecast that Boarstall would be in the eye of a storm on Saturday afternoon, but, fortunately, the wind changed direction, and, although there were some showers, they did not dampen the considerable enthusiasm of the large crowds, drawn by the large number of roadside signs and the Boarstall Fête's reputation as the “Best local fête by far”. The fête committee and the large number of devoted helpers and volunteers are to be congratulated on another most successful event. Proceeds from the fête go to St. James Church, Boarstall, and to charity.

For further images of the fête, for information about the most interesting history of the Tower and details of opening times, go to www.boarstall.com. You can also search for Boarstall on facebook.

The next Boarstall Fête will be on Saturday 16th June 2011. Please put it in your diaries now.