Fete 2008 News

The North Moreton fete returns, as good as ever!
 

North Moreton Fete - Sunday 11th May 2008 Once again it’s that time of year, the annual North Moreton Fete will be held on Sunday 11th May 2008 at the Croft. It promises from previous successful years to be a wonderful family day out. There will be lots of attractions, competitions and stalls. All the usual favourites including the Blewbury brass band to help the day go along with a swing. Attractions will include the popular “Fun Pet Competition” and new this year a Hawk display. First prize in the raffle is a flight in Polly Vacher's Piper Dakota aeroplane. Also on the day there will be: A Promises Auction, Toy Stall, Plant stall, cakes jams and chutneys, Arts and Crafts Marquee selling local arts and crafts, classic cars and lots, lots more. Not forgetting a delicious Barbeque and refreshments from the Bear at Home Inn. All in aid of raising funds for repairs to the parapet of the North Moreton Church which is urgently needed. If you would like to volunteer to get involved either in fete preparations or manning a stall on the day please contact Mary Greene or Linda Brown. Mary Greene - maryclaregreene@aol.com or Linda Brown - harpleybrown@aol.com

Content created by Sonia Wilson

Fete 2007  

The North Moreton fete returns, bigger and better than ever!

The North Moreton fete of 2007 was probably the most successful ever, even better than the famed fete of 2001 when the Red Falcons dropped in.

This year's undoubted main attraction was the impressive arrival and flypast of Polly Vacher's MKI Hurricane, a genuine 1940 Battle of Britain veteran. The plane performed multiple passes and delighted the crowds with the throb and evocative sound of it's 1,200hp Rolls Royce Merlin engine. The Hurricane was originally equipped with eight Browning machine guns which, thank goodness, it definitely did not display on this occasion. The plane was flown by BAE test pilot Keith Dickinson and the village definitely owes a debt of gratitude to both him and Polly Vacher for providing such a spectacle. How many villages are able to boast a visit from such a historic warplane? Here are a few pictures of the plane performing it's low level passes over the village. Click on any picture to full size the image.

The fete provided all that was required for a wonderful day in the country, a brass band, a book stall, tea and cakes, classic cars and bikes, a tug of war, an auction of promises, a bouncy castle, dog show, produce stalls including: plants; jewellery; local honey, arts and crafts, a coconut shy, face painting, lucky dip, bottle tombola, raffle, guess the weight of the cake competition, white elephant stall and many attractions not least the Barbeque and beer at the Bear. The Fete was opened by a weatherman from the local telly, and once again the weather held good for the whole day.

The classic car section is always an attraction and every year the selection of vehicles changes. As always Chris supplied a sample of his fine vintage motorcycles whilst other owners brought their bikes, classic cars and tractors.

As always the stalls provided something for nearly everyone to purchase, eat or enjoy. The tea and cake stall was especially appreciated by all.

We should thank the local St. John's ambulance for providing first aid cover and this year we had a police presence in the shape of two PCs, not quite sure why, the only rowdy elements were confined to the bouncy castle. Perhaps there was some pushing and shoving to get at the tea and cakes? They seemed to be smiling as much as everyone so perhaps they were there to enjoy themselves.

The Best Dog Competition was won by someone with a dog, which was nice. The brass band provided a fine musical background to the day and their hard work under the hot sun was most appreciated. I hope they were well watered. I think it is fair to say that both adults and children alike enjoyed the day in equal measure. Many would state that this was the finest North Moreton fete ever! Well done to the fete committee for putting in so much hard work and bringing off such a great success.

Tug of War

A yearly tradition is the tug of war between the Moretons.

Previous years teams have represented the two Moreton villages but this year the tug of war competition was fought between the Bear at Home and the Crown Inn. This led to some fierce but ultimately friendly rivalry. The two teams squared up to each other and from the size of the contestants it initially looked as if the Bear team would win. However, from the outset the Crown team had the upper hand and despite winning the second pull the Bear team could not muster the strength to beat the victorious Crown! It is rumoured that the Bear team had some practice beforehand against a LandRover, unfortunately it didn't seem to help. An Oxford Mail reporter was on hand to record the day's games and it is hoped the results will appear in the County rag.

The Bear at Home Team tug of war team being narrowly beaten, the crowd seem happy!

The Crown Inn Team in winning mood!

If you have any pictures of the day you would like to appear here then please send them to me, the webmaster here.

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