Hooe village party

Jazz, a children's clown and a show to find the Shiniest Dog and the dog with the Waggiest Tail were also features of a venture at Hooe on Saturday which the organisers intend will become an annual attraction.

Hooe lost a great deal when its long-running series of Michaelmas Fairs died two years ago.

Sisters Sam White and Lou Murphy set out on Saturday not to resurrect the Michaelmas Fair but to generate something of their own - a traditional village party, centred on Hooe's 600 year-old Red Lion Inn, which the pair run.

Though the fair had yet to build up in numbers when the 1066 Pipe and Drum Band got the proceedings going, the party quickly got into full swing.

Nearly four decades have passed since Hooe - or rather Russells Green, the hamlet just up the road to Ninfield - were tug-o-war champions of all England. But villagers would like to think that a little of the tradition lives on in Hooe.

A hastily-assembled scratch team representing the Red Lion took on a team representing the Ash Tree Inn at Brownbread Street in the field behind the pub. While the Ash's squad had never before taken the strain against another team, the newly-formed side practices twice a week.

It showed.

Despite the efforts of the Lions' coach in urging her team on in, in a best-of-three contest the Lion did well to hold the Ash for a long-fought first encounter before being hauled over the line. The Ash dug in their heels and found the same winning rhythm in the second encounter and the trophy made its way home to Brownbread Street.

A further couple of friendly pulls made up the sporting element of the party.

Back on the Red Lion forecourt, Hooe Line Dancers put on a spirited demonstration while the barbecue did constant trade.

Small children were not forgotten. Upstairs in the restaurant Bobo The Clown soon had the little ones capering about to the Hokey Cokey and a succession of party games.

Judges David Formby and "Poacher" had their work cut out with the dog show. Round and round the Red Lion car park walked proud owners parading their pets.

Big dogs, little dogs, pedigree dogs and a variety of intriguing crosses, shaggy-haired dogs and sleek hounds came under the judgess' gaze.

The rosette for the Shiniest Dog when to Jane Pym's King Charles Cavalier Spaniel Gucci.

The Waggiest Tail went to Geraldine Hansford's Staffordshire-cross bitch Charley.

As Nick Belcher's jazz trio took over the entertainment, those wishing to make their own music could stroll a few doors up the lane to try their hand at handbell-ringing with Dewby's Bells.

Boogie Nights took over the music-making in the evening followed by Ibiza.

For hard-working Sam and Lou, both of whom sported St Michael's Hospice t-shirts for an occasion which they hope will have raised some cash for the charity, Hooe's response to its Village Party was highly encouraging.

It wasn't the Michaelmas Fair reincarnated. But it was never intended to be. It was proof, however, that Hooe, which has lost its fair, its Guy Fawkes Night, its Good Friday marbles match and its Easter Egg Hunt in recent years, is on the road to community recovery.

Everyone had a good time and the sisters hope to build on their success next year.