Beeston Castle Fete 2001

It was about 2.00 o'clock on Tuesday morning when I suddenly woke from a deep sleep and sat bolt upright, staring at the opposite wall, my mind in a whirl. I'd forgotten something - I must have done - but what was it?

Then it dawned on me: I had woken as I had done every night for the past week, but now I could go back to sleep without worry. My first year as Chairman of the Fete Committee had given me many sleepless nights, but now it was over - for another year at least.

What was there to worry about anyway? We had wonderful weather and I had a fantastic team behind me. The 2001 Beeston Castle Fete was truly a tremendous success. By midday the Car Park was overflowing; poor Ernest Croley was having to find every spare inch of space to put the hundreds of cars swarming to the Fete.

Visitors then had to queue to get into the Castle grounds, but once they were in they were treated to a very special day. The entertainment was provided by Ged Hone and his Jazz Band, rapidly becoming a regular. Mr. Happity and Mrs. Giggles mesmerised the children with their show. Martin Clews once again brought his collection of Birds of Prey. And in the afternoon the Dog Show proved to be another favourite.

There were games galore, Guy Johnson and his family running what can only be described as the best Hoopla stall I've ever seen. It didn't stop there. A Coconut Shy, Skittles, Penalty Shoot-outs (I hear Liverpool are on the lookout for a Keeper. Andy?), Hook the Duck and many other games were all well supported throughout the day, and the Bottle Tom- bola and Children's Tombola both went off really well.

We had our traditional White Elephant, Book, Produce and Plant stalls, all being busy through the day. (Any Elephants left over will be returned to the Zoo.) As well as the traditional, this year we had something new, the Children's Mission Tent, an exhibition and display of St. Boniface's work with children, manned by Gill Mulliss and Lin Gates. Children and adults of all ages were able to sample what many are missing.

With all this to do, refreshments were paramount. There were long queues at the BBQ (Beeston Burners) throughout the day, the crowds munching their way through 500 Burgers, 500 Hot Dogs and a vast quantity of Bacon Rolls before the day was over. The Tea Tent, this year run by Barbara Croley and her team, served up tea, coffee, sandwiches and a vast array of home-produced fare. (From the feed-back, I hear that a request has gone out for Barbara to do the Queen's next garden party.)

The penultimate event of the day's entertainment was our Sports Competition. This consisted of children's races of all kinds and finished with at least 15 grown men forcing one another off as they thundered down the 50-metre course to endeavour to cross the line first.

The final event of the day was the Draw, the main prize-winners being:

The Fortnum & Mason Christmas Hamper -
Mr. T. Wheathead of Darkie Meadow, Bunbury

The Weekend Hotel Stay for Two -
Chris (the Chef), The Letters Inn, Tattenhall

Sunday Lunch for Two at the Dysart -
Mr. Sheppard of Winsford

Champagne and Chocolates -
Andrew Dean of Bunbury

Congratulations to you all and to all the other winners of prizes.

The success of the Fete was not just down to the activities on the day (and the weather) but also to the planning and support that started in the early part of the year. I would like to take this oppor- tunity to thank everyone who came along on the day and all those who supported the Fete with their donations. Especially, I would personally like to thank publicly those who have supported me throughout the year, Carolyn Johnson, Rick Gates, Barbara Croley, Dave Donkin and Peter Crump. - Not forgetting everyone who worked so hard on the day, without whom the Fete would surely die and become just a part of History.

Nigel Mulliss