"Summer" Fete
I love the people in our village. Once they decide they're going to have an event, they go for it, whatever the weather.
Last year, the village fete and St. Petroc's day celebrations (he must be our village saint of something) were rolled into one and held on the same day. It used to be that the St. Petroc festival was held over three days, with one day set aside for the trading of sheep and livestock (the word Shepton derives from scep-ton = sheep enclosure), the second day was for other produce, veggies and so on and the third day was a bit of a knee's up for the villagers, when they partied and celebrated.
The 2007 day dawned rather bright, but by the time the road through the village was closed and the band assembling, it had started drizzling. Undeterred, the villagers headed home to grab gazebos and walked them down the main road to park over their tables, laden with picnics and drinks. The bands played on and the party went on into the night. A bit of soggy weather was never going to deter this lot.
This year, the day of the village fete and St. Petroc's dawned grey and drizzling and rapidly turned into a gale with lashing rain. I'm must look up Petroc, as I'll bet he had something to do with bad weather! The village had planned a Caribbean party, with picnic, blow-up palm trees, exotic cocktails and a prize for the brightest shirt, magnum stylee. Dennis' field was mown and the bunting put up; sadly, the front of the field and the village hall look like images from a tropical storm, but colder and gloomier; topping at 13 Celsius today, you'd never believe it's July and the supposed height of summer.
I feel so sorry for all the people who have put so much time and effort into the planning of the party - they are good-hearted people who do it all for charity and improving things in this village. The good thing, though, is that all the villagers were out, in wellies, waterproofs and the balloon race was just released in a howling wind! It seems that nothing will stop this lot - once they decide they're going to have a party, they'll make it happen, come what may. It's that wonderful spirit that got us through the blitz and just about every other disaster that has befallen since - roll up your sleeves, pull on your wellies and make the best of it.
I love living in Shepton Beauchamp and I love the people here for being so amazing!
posted by The Shepton Witch @ 18:27
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7 Comments:
aw, its that 'pulling together in adversity thing' isnt it? glad a good time was had by all, its lovely that community spirit is alive and well in some places still!
They sound like great people, SW, and all power and credit to them. Living in a Somerset village myself, I just love the village spirit. It's something that never ceases to amaze me.
Not long after taking that picture, while the rain was still slanting horizontally and the wind howling, I saw a near neighbour trundle up the road in Bermuda shorts, a flowery shirt and a garland around his neck, totally oblivious to the weather!
They're as mad as cheese!
So jealous!
I still love the look of the Village Hall; its a beautiful stone building.
And, your villagers may be as mad as cheese, but I bet they make life just that little bit more fun - even if its only by wearing bermuda shorts in a howling gale.
I wouldn't swap them for the world - they are what makes the place so special, our locals. Said Bermuda shorts-wearing individual was in hot competition with his neighbour for the prize of most exotic shirt, and a bit of bad weather wasn't going to get in their way.
As for the village hall, it's the local ham stone, which is a lovely soft buttery colour and even when it's cold and grey, looks warm and cheery. Most of the village is made up of ham, except our place which looks like it's been plonked down in the middle by a bunch of aliens - still, we make a contrast to the rest of the places.
For anyone who wants to see the full delights of our local yeomanry limbo dancing, parading colourful shirts and all the rest, fill your boots from the Village Website.
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