Record turnout at annual Uplyme Village Fete

UPLYME Village Fete enjoyed its biggest ever turnout, despite the long-running dry spell breaking just as the event got underway. 

The fete was held on Saturday afternoon at the King George V playing field in Uplyme. After weeks of sunshine, rain showers started just before the event started, but organisers said this worked to their advantage as it brought many visitors off the beach.

The event included a huge number of stalls run by local organisations, charities and craftspeople, as well as entertainment from Lyme Regis Majorettes, Wyld Morris and local band WeFunk.

Meanwhile, the Lyme Luggers ukulele group played inside the village hall, where cream teas were served.

There were also Punch & Judy shows, miniature ponies, llamas and birds of prey to meet, plus a huge bouncy castle and trampolines to entertain the children.

The 1st Lym Valley Scouts kept everyone well fed with their barbecue, along with stands selling coffee, ice creams, doughnuts, a mobile bar and a Pimm’s tent run by Lyme Regis Football Club’s youth section.

Organiser Pete Hackett said: “Thank you everyone who came to make it the best attendance ever. Everyone who spoke to the team said they had a great time.

The 40-odd stall holders had a good day and all the caterers were busy all afternoon. Big thanks to Scouts and Powder Monkeys Explorer Sea Scouts, who stepped up to provide burgers and hot dogs when we were let down last minute. The ‘fun fair’ area was busy too, and the Pimm’s bar sold out!”

“Thanks also go to the fete’s ‘on the day team’, who step in and make it work, helping set up in the morning, running the car park, directing the stall holders, being on the gate, running the hall kitchen and best of all providing the best of what Uplyme and Lyme has to offer – community spirit.”

A date has already set for next year’s Uplyme Fete as Saturday, June 8.