Shalden Fete
Hold the date. 2023 Fete - Sunday 18th June. The Fete will take place at Shalden Park House. If you are available to help with setting up, helping on the day or the clear up, please contact Peter Rankin
2022. Record Attendance at Shalden Village Garden Fete. Report from Peter Rankin
Having held no fete since 2019, Shalden fete committee were apprehensive as to how many would attend this year's event - but they didn’t need to worry! A record attendance of 342 adults - along with an over a 100 under 16's - came through the gates of Shalden Park House on Father's Day - the day Shalden traditionally holds its Fete.
With grateful thanks to our lovely hosts Linda and Michael Campbell, our visitors enjoyed the beautiful grounds - the BBQ, the cream teas, the Pimms and Beer stalls, the bottle, cake, books and plant stalls, alongside the classic car display. Many brought their dogs along to the fun dog show hoping their dog would win a class or two, or even the Dawkins Cup if they had entered one of the five dog show competitions. The kids smashed plates, jumped around for ever in the Bouncy castle, before knocking over skittles or a coconut, or a teddy bear - of which over 100 were won in the afternoon. Younger children and those not so young entered the Painted Tile competition at the Beehive Montessori Marquee to win the Campbell Cup.
Ian Champness’ eloquent efforts on Wey Valley Radio clearly boosted our record number of visitors, younger and older. WVR also held live outside broadcasts interviews with fete goers on the day .... All part of the fun!
The Fun Dog show was bigger than ever and very professional managed by Tracey Nash. Sponsored by Grovely Pets, the class winners were:
1. Handsomest Dog - Pilot the Belgian Shepherd with his handler Ruth Sharman from Alton
2. Prettiest Bitch - Suki the Springer Spaniel with her handler Ian Wigg from Shalden
3. Best OAP - Lucy the Beagle x Jack Russell with her handler Paige Parsons from Binsted
4. Waggiest Tail - Coco the Cockapoo with handler Luke Coleman from Shalden
5. Obedience – Mallow the Black Labrador with his handler Tom Floyd from Shalden
Best in Show and winner of the Dawkins Cup - Lucy the Beagle x Jack Russell
Reserve Best in Show - Suki the Springer Spaniel
The Auction of Promises also did well again hardly surprising with a range of offers for everyone from a drive out in Delilah, our host’s vintage Bentley, a trip to Goodwood Classic Car Sunday in a 1974 Pontiac Transam, a glider flight at Lasham airfield, tickets to Henley Regatta, to reflexology in your own home or someone to do your ironing! What’s not to like?
Special thanks once again to Anette, Jan and the rest of the team from the Beehive Montessori who had a host of entries for the Painted Tile competition in the marquee The overall winner was Tilly, aged 3 from Lasham who was presented with the Campbell Cup by Mrs. Linda Campbell.
The biggest thanks has to go to everyone in Shalden. Whether running a stall or event on the day or beforehand providing an auction prize, support behind the scenes, or providing us with prizes and goods to sell for the various stalls and not forgetting the build-up and break down crew, we couldn’t have done it without you!
Thanks also to our other sponsors this year; Peter & Jane Goddard for their contribution to marketing and Keith Gott Land Rovers who provided the beer, all helping us make it such a successful day.
Shalden Fete donations for 2022
Your generous support for the fete this year enabled Shalden to donate a valuable £500 to each of these local worthy causes:
- Alton & Basingstoke Cardiac Rehab *
- Naomi House Children’s Hospice £500
- Alton Community Hospital - League of Friends
- Shalden Church Fabric Fund
- Hampshire Air Ambulance
- St Michael’s Hospice
- MacMillan Cancer Care
