THE Kilkhampton Village Fete was held in Lamb Park on Saturday, July 1, with lots of fun activities and events for visitors to enjoy.

With the weather set to look dreary for the weekend, fete-goers were pleasantly surprised when the sun crept out and the day remained warm for the event.

Fete chairman, Ed Nancekivell, told the Post: “It went really well; everyone had a wonderful day. The weather was looking pretty awful, but on Saturday it was a lovely day, so we were very lucky. The whole day was a big success.”

The event was opened by Sally Jeffery — who was fete queen in 1987 — and the crowning of the 2017 royalty then took place.

Millie Gilhespy was crowned fete queen, alongside her two attendants, Tessa Macdonald and Caitlin Connolly, flower presenter Gracie May Paddon, and cushion bearer, Layla James.

Alongside the queen and attendants, this year’s ‘coachman’ was Thomas Petherick, and the ‘footmen’ were James Beales and Lee Richardson, who travelled in the traditional Kilkhampton coach, which is over 100 years old.

Ed added: “We had a wonderful turnout. The pinnacle of the event was the crowning of the queen, who was crowned by the fete queen from 30 years ago — Sally Jeffery, who’s a Kilk girl.”

The rest of the afternoon was filled with entertainment, including a children’s entertainer, a large craft tent with craft stalls, live music throughout the afternoon, a barbeque and bar, as well as children’s sports events, an egg throwing competition, face painting and a children’s fun fair.

Crowds were also treated to a May pole dancing performance by 12 dancers, choreographed by Val Shadrick, a ‘fake or fortune’ style antiques stall and a lineup of vintage vehicles from Holsworthy Motor Club, including the appearance of a 1942 American Army truck.

The fun didn’t stop there. In the evening, live music carried on into the late hours of night, with Kilkhampton songwriter, Andrew Vanstone, playing guitar and performing, and music from the Strange Brood band, Charles and Sarah Smith, the Cornish Hillbillies and Bude Metric Band.

Ed continued: “It’s (the fete is) a very traditional event, which has taken place over many, many years. We didn’t do it last year, due to tragic circumstances, but a new committee has been formed and they have done very well this year.”

This year, the Kilkhampton Fete committee decided to support two charities close to the community’s heart — Mind and Motor Neurone Disease Association (MND Association).

Within the last 12 months, the village sadly lost two members of the fete committee, for reasons relating to these particular charities.

However, amongst the funds raised during the fete, which are yet to be finalised, local organisations are also set to benefit, including the school PTA and village youth club.

Ed added: “It was a really successful day, and the fun didn’t conclude until about midnight. There was lots of eating and drinking, with the barbeque and bar, and everything finished with live music in the evening, so there was lots of entertainment.

“Our chosen charities this year were led by the two individuals, who very sadly deceased over the last 12 months. But the organisations through the village are all community-based organisations; it’s a really thriving and vibrant village.”