AFTER last year’s rain on Roadwater Fete day and the UK’s non-summer to date in 2024, organisers were hoping for a reasonable day - and were given just that.

The sun came out, people went to join in on the village recreation ground, and the visitors kept on coming.

A bumper crowd attended and spent a ‘mega’ amount of money, helping to raise £9,300 from the event.

The money will be put to good use to help with running the village hall and recreation ground and to support necessary improvements, refurbishment, and maintenance.

Watchet Brass Band opened the afternoon, followed by Brompton Regis Morris Dancers, Punch and Judy, and the ever-popular duck race.

The duck race required a slight change of course because of a large fallen tree trunk in the river.

A produce auction and raffle concluded the afternoon.

There were the teas, a bar, and a barbecue for refreshment, and many stalls and games to entertain the visitors.

Although the bar ran out of beer, the tea team just managed with their cakes.

Organisers sent apologies to anybody who missed out, putting it down to an exceptional crowd, as noted by the event’s car parking crew, who at one point had to handle a large queue of cars in both directions attempting to access the recreation ground.

Valiant Soldier landlord Mike Twine provided a band for the evening entertainment which was also well attended.

A committee spokesperson said: “A very, very big thank you to all our dedicated helpers, those who donated prizes, visited, exhibited, and spent their money so generously.

“The hall and recreation ground are used increasingly for events and meetings and provide a beautiful venue.

“We now have a new marquee to house our produce show and other village occasions. This is available to hire, as is our hall.”

Produce show results in 1st, 2nd, 3rd order:

Grow Your Own

20 gooseberries with stalks Dave Sherman; 20 raspberries or loganberries Dave Sherman, Nigel Grabham, Andy Maddison; A dish of currants with stalks Petri Cole, Mary Coles, Nancy Tickle; Any other fruit Dave Sherman, Nigel Grabham, Tara Owens; 4 sticks of rhubarb Petri Cole, Andy Maddison, Claire Sawatzki; 6 tomatoes with stalk Petri Cole, Alan Bushell, Nigel Grabham; 1 sweet pepper Nigel Grabham; 1 cucumber Nigel Grabham, Jackie Walls, Petri Cole; 4 beetroot Petri Cole, Andy Maddison, Nigel Grabham; 6 potatoes any one variety Nigel Grabham, Petri Cole, Bryan Harper; 3 onions Andy Maddison; 6 carrots Petri Cole, Paul Sawatzki, Andy Maddison; 3 courgettes Nigel Grabham, Petri Cole, Jackie Walls; 6 shallots Tara Owens, Andy Maddison; 12 pods of french beans Nigel Grabham; 6 runner beans Andy Maddison, Nancy Tickle, Dave Sherman; 6 spring onions Petri Cole; Any other vegetable, Andy Maddison, Dave Sherman, Petri Cole; Arrangement of 5 culinary herbs in a tin can Andy Maddison, Petri Cole, Katie Berry.

Floral

A vase of vibrant mixed garden flowers Katie Berry, Chris Hall, Jackie Walls; Single colour floral arrangement Sheila Robertson, Katie Berry, Gill White; Foliage table arrangement max 20cms high Sheila Robertson, Katie Berry, Philippa Harper; 5 roses any varieties Katie Berry, Philippa Harper, Andy Maddison; 12 sweet peas single variety or mixed Nancy Tickle, Andy Maddison, Tara Owens; 3 hydrangeas (single variety) Liz Saunders Singer, Sue Lambert, Mary Bishop; 3 dahlias any varieties Tara Owens, Nancy Tickle, Jackie Walls; Silver Challenge Cup awarded to Petri Cole.

Baking and Preserves

Victoria Sandwich Cake Claire Sawatzki, Karen Maddison, Nancy Tickle; 5 iced ring biscuits Jenny Nethercott, Sarah Wetheridge; 3 brioche burger buns Jenny Nethercott; Quiche Lorraine Carol Prentice, Jenny Nethercott; Jar of jam, jelly or marmalade Laura Short, Nancy Tickle, Annie Channer; Jar of chutney or pickle Nancy Tickle.

Handicrafts

An Impressionist style painting John Bowcock, David Bernard, Peter Moss; A Still Life featuring a wine bottle David Bernard, Phylly Mullaney, John Bowcock; A story sack Mo Best, Carol Prentice, Alison Pratt; An item made from metal or wood Judy Moss, Jane Burt-Brown, Coco Singer; A Beret Mo Best, Carol Prentice, Lynne Dunton; A bag made from recycled denim Jenny Nethercott, Lucy Dunton, Lynne Dunton; Flash Fiction 100 words featuring ‘Faster, Higher, Stronger Together’ (the olympic motto) Steph Millar, Angela Fine.

Photography

A Local Harbour Georgia Watson, Jenny Nethercott, Steph Millar; Sports equipment Carol Prentice; Chickens Annie Channer; A black and white portrait Carol Prentice; Something beginning with P Sharne Hawkins, Jenny Nethercott, Ralf Hawkins; Ladies Trophy awarded to Jenny Nethercott.

Children

A pair of decorated cress egg heads Polly Newman; An Acrostic poem for PARIS Rhona Millar, Scarlett Krishnarao, Ruaridh Millar; A poster for the Olympic Games Toby Dutton, Cleo Dutton, Polly Newman; A picture or collage of a cockerel Lyra Cornish, Coco Singer, Cleo Dutton; A miniature garden Polly Newman, Flossie Hudson, Cleo Dutton; Children’s Cup awarded to Polly Newman.