Traditional summer fete to mark own ‘Diamond Jubilee’

A traditional fete which dates back over 100 years will take place this weekend in Colgate and will mark the village hall’s 60th anniversary.

The Colgate village summer fete will officially be opened at 1.30pm on Sunday, June 23, by Piers Calvert of Holmbush in the grounds of the village Memorial Hall at the junction of Forest Road and Blackhouse Road.

“This year we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the hall being rebuilt after being destroyed by enemy action in September 1940, and opened just three days before the Queen’s Coronation,” explained organiser David Elder.

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“So we are having our very own ‘Diamond Jubilee’ this year in Colgate.”

Events will start at 2pm with a fancy dress competition for the under-10s, with the theme of animals.

“The first boys and girls prizes will be judged on their home made costumes, but all children entering will receive a nice prize,” continuted David.

“There will be an Instant Auction at 2.30pm, with match tickets generously donated by Crawley Town Football Club who have just finished a very successful first season in League One.”

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Also up for auction will be tickets for the Goodwood Festival of Speed donated by Addspeed Performance Cars of Horsham and a ‘Four Ball’ voucher for a round of golf for four players at the Cottesmore Golf and Country Club.

There will be a Jazz band and lots of stalls and events to keep the whole family busy including pony rides, coconut shy, tombola, magician, bouncy castle, balloon race, children’s golf, lucky dip, bowling, face painting, TopScore football, bric-a-brac, books, garden plants, a raffle and more.

A demonstration of country dancing by pupils of Colgate Primary School will take place at 3pm and magic show will follow at 3.30pm and the grand raffle draw will be at 4pm.

“Our village fete is still a ‘real’ village fete, with all the traditional stalls and fun events that you would expect.

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“You will find that it has that special village atmosphere with the village hall committee and many local residents running stalls and helping out on the day.

This year, david has produced a souvenir 40-page booklet full of facts and pictures all about the village hall and other historical information about the village, which will be available for sale on the day for just £2.

“I’ve actually got old postcards of the fete from 1912 so it really is an old traditional fete, it’s brilliant,” he added.

“All in all, we can promise you a busy and fun afternoon for the whole family.”

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