The village fete was held on Sunday 1st July under the most adverse weather conditions. For so long it had become a comforting tradition that the first Sunday of July would offer dry and gentle sunshine that only those with the longest memories could recall occasional years when conditions had been unfavourable.
The national weather pattern during the preceding week had aroused growing anxiety on the part of the organisers leading to a mood of mounting determination on the morning of the event with driving rain storms blowing down the stalls and soaking the playing field so carefully prepared for the day. It was fortunate that Stuart LeCornu and his organising team had taken precautions to invest in a large marquee and to muster all available vehicles and gazebos to offer the vital weather protection which averted a major calamity.
The event opened in a downpour yet the star attraction in the form of the Bilton Silver Band opened the proceedings with a lively programme of appropriate music.
As the afternoon wore on the hesitant arrivals multiplied into a surging crowd which seemed to equal the usual attendance of recent years. The villagers and visitors trudged throughout the sodden grounds sampling the variety of stalls and side shows oblivious to the inclement conditions. Refreshments were provided by a pig roast and afternoon teas in a marquee while contestants took part in games of strength and skill. A grand raffle and tombola offered enticing prizes and additional entertainment was provided by the Avon Valley School Choir.
It soon became apparent that our typical British indifference to the wet and windy weather failed to dampen many spirits and served to enliven the collective mood of the crowd when the grand tug of war contest took place ably organised by Mr Tony Gillias. This event has traditionally become the most exciting feature of the fete, this time with the contest of strength and endurance taking place on a surface of slippery mud.
The local team titled the ‘Pailton Pullers’ led by Garry Dew, challenged two visitor squads the ‘red team’ and the scratch team’ with Pailton emerging as victors to qualify for rewarding drinks at Pailton Club. Junior teams also enjoyed a lively contest loudly encouraged by their families and supporters.
Many prizes were won during the day with Mr. and Mrs. Nowill of Monks Kirby claiming the top raffle prize of a quality TV set awarded by an anonymous donor also a range of other attractive items handed out by Mr Dick Moss. A CD player donated by a local supermarket was won in a draw by Ms Short. Prizes were also given to winners of the many competitions and table games.
The day’s merriment continued far into the evening when many who had braved the wet afternoon assembled in the club to enjoy a lively programme of Irish music performed by the OddSods
Reports from the many stalls and sideshows indicated brisk trade with indications of a worthy sum being raised towards St. Denis Church and the Village Trust.
At the end of a long and tiring day
the hardworking organisers were able to reflect with much pride that while
fainter-hearted communities might well
have
abandoned the event in the face of the most adverse conditions imaginable
the Pailton spirit had prevailed and staged one of the most memorable fetes
on
record.