Successful Gislingham Summer Fair raises thousands for village good causes

Morris dancers and tractors were two of the highlights at the successful Gislingham Summer Fair on Saturday.

Hundreds of people flocked to the village playing fields for the annual event, featuring a packed timetable of entertainment, food and drink, stalls, fun and games.

Following an opening ceremony by former Anglia TV presenter Christine Webber, there were performances from Gislingham School Choir, Blue Wolves Cheer Group, Kenninghall Morris Dancers and Gislingham Variety Club Singers.

The afternoon’s timetable also included a vintage tractor parade, children’s fun races and a tug of war for all, prize draws and prize giving ceremony. Only the dog show was cancelled, due to the hot weather.

Jeff Norman, committee secretary, said: “The weather was kind to us this year and the event was very well supported by the community. At a guess, more than 300 people turned up and enjoyed a fun afternoon.

“The summer fair is a very important fund-raiser for Gislingham. We raised £3,927.”

Funds raised at the afternoon, organised by the Gislingham Summer Fair committee, will be divided equally between village organisations including Gislingham Village Hall committee, the Friends of St Mary’s Church, Gislingham WI, Gislingham Playgroup, Friends of Gislingham School and 1st Mendlesham Scouts.

The committee thanked all who helped to organise the event and those who helped to help set up and clear up; the local business community and the families who supported the fair.

“It is heartening when so many people come together to support – it makes all the hard work worthwhile,” said Jeff. “We have received so many compliments from people saying how much they enjoyed the event.”

Planning for next year’s fair will start in the autumn.