Angmering fete to become annual event

First held last year as part of the village's golden jubilee celebrations, the 2003 event, at Fletcher's Field, was hailed as a success, both for the funds it raised for charity, and for the happy atmosphere it generated.

Cyril Potter, president of Angmering Social Club, led a 40-strong team of club members who were hard at work preparing the site before 7am.

He said: "It was a great day, and the weather was very kind for us. There were people of all ages and from all over the village enjoying themselves.

"The atmosphere was great, just seeing people get together to have a good time was brilliant."

If the fete team needed any inspiration for their day of work and play, it came on the previous evening, when many of them visited the Chestnut Tree House children's hospice, which is due to open next month and which will benefit from half of the 1,300 proceeds from the event.

"Seeing the place made us all the more determined to make a success of Saturday," said Mr Potter, who is also vice-chairman of Angmering Parish Council.

Gifford House, Worthing, a home for ex-service people, will also receive a share of the fete income and there will be a presentation evening at the social club on Wednesday, July 2, at 7.30pm, to which everyone involved on Saturday is invited.

Lola Smith was crowned Miss Angmering, in the competition for girls aged 14 to 25, and Jade Piper was chosen as the Angmering Princess, in the eight-13-year-old girls' competition. Both will represent the village at Littlehampton Carnival next month.

Muriel Baker won the Queen Mum's Cup for grandmothers. Mrs Baker, from Lancing, is celebrating her golden wedding. She used to live in Angmering and has family still in the village. "She said it brought back happy memories of the old Angmering Carnival," added Mr Potter.

The baby competition was won by Summer Spite.

Angmering BMW dealers Chandlers provided trophies for the competitions and Mr Potter expressed the organisers' thanks for the generous sponsorship.

Visitors were kept amused by a large number of stalls, with the Angmering Society and other village organisations also taking part.

There was a beer tent, karaoke competition, computer dance mat challenge, beat the goalie, skittles, tombola and barbecue, as well as many other attractions.

And despite his best efforts, Mr Potter ended up getting drenched by East Preston fire brigade, who sent along their fire engine and turned their hose on him. "I didn't mind, it was very hot, so they did me a favour!"