REPORT FROM SIBFORD VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE

Even the weather contributed to make this year’s Village Fayre a great family day out and was well worth everyone’s hard work. It is a great combined effort from the Fayre Committee, the Scouts, Cubs & Beavers, the Playgroup, the WI, the Friendship Club, the providers of the wonderful raffle prizes, support from the Sibford Ferris shop and The Bishop Blaize, and so many individual people. Thanks go to Mollie Mulley for bringing along the Millennium Panels for us all to see. Our apologies if we have left anyone out. We hope to have raised over the £2,000 mark this year, which must be something of a record and the Committee’s thanks go to one and all who contributed in so many ways to achieve this.

The night before the Fayre, the three brave men – Sam Merchant, Basil Page and David Moir – made the ultimate sacrifice and had their beards shaved off, all looking so much younger from this experience! Unfortunately David, whose daughter had never seen him without a beard, looked so different, people didn’t recognise him, and he said no-one had spoken to the stranger who was selling raffle tickets on the day! This has raised a substantial sum towards the total amount. As our Treasurer is away at present, we do not know the exact amount but this will be given in the next report.

The winners of the Children’s Art competition, judged by well known artist Nigel Fletcher, were Sean Knapman and India Seeley, both from Sibford Gower, who will have their imaginative Millennium Bugs pictures featured in next year’s Fayre Programme. All the pictures were in the Hall on the day for all to view.

The Word Search winner, drawn out of the hat, was Guy Grasby, who last year was winner of the Sibford Top Dog title, with his dog Raq.

The children seemed to enjoy the day. The magician, bouncy castle, the games and competitions were all doing well. The Fancy Dress competition had 22 entries, with a very difficult job for the Judge. The results of the Under 3’s was a win for 7½ month old Jack Lovegrove from Epwell as a very amusing Jack in the Box. 2nd was Jack Knapman, 2, from Sibford Gower, 3rd 1½ year old Katy Bell from Burdrop, equal 4th were Fred Smith, 2, from the Gower and Naomi Spencer, nearly 1½ from the Ferris.

In the over 3’s the winner was finally decided as 6 year old Brett Knapman from the Gower, dressed as a real looking robot. 2nd was Edward Smith, 4, from the Ferris, 3rd Martha Hewetson and 4th Emily Darvill both 4 and from the Ferris. We had two brave “over 10’s” dressed as Posh and Baby Spice – Amy Henley and her friend Gina Brooks. We hope all the children received a rosette but if not ring Muriel on 780025 and we will put that right!

The Dog Show, like the Fancy Dress was a great crowd pleaser. We didn’t have quite so many entries as last year but it did provide a lot of amusement, right down to little Barney, our Treasurer’s dog who we put in the “Dog with the Waggiest Tail” but couldn’t get his little stump to move. However he did take home two 3rds, 5th & 6th rosettes, shown by 13 year old Amy Healey. Competition was strong for the Sibford Top Dog title and the beautiful Challenge Cup, donated and presented by Mrs Vera Jones. The Champion was the Best Veteran winner, 11½ year old Harry, a Collie-cross-Spaniel, owned all his life by Ginny Bennett from Sibford Ferris. Reserve went to 10 month old Golden Retriever Milo, who Ann Batchelor, from Churchill, has owned since he was 8 weeks old. Milo had a good day, winning Best Puppy, 2nd in the Best Pedigree and 3rd in the Handsomest Dog classes.

The winner of the Best Young Handler went to Epwell’s Sarah Harris, with Jess, who also won the Best Chocolate Drop Catcher. The Best Pedigree class was won by Jack, the rough Collie owned by Celia Phillips from the Gower. Max won the Handsomest Dog, with owner Caroline Harley from the Ferris, who were also 3rd in the Dog with the Waggiest Tail. The Prettiest Bitch went to Buzz and Charlie Bishop from Tadmarton, who also had a 2nd, 5th and equal 6th. The Best Cross Breed went to Fiona Pigeon, from Burdrop, with Inca, who also took home a 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th rosette.

All the dogs behaved perfectly on such a hot day but the Deerhound Charlie caused much amusement by telling his young handler Mary Philpott from Epwell, that he didn’t really want to be a show dog! 7 year old Katherine Page did manage to keep him in the ring in the Best Young Handler and, they happily went home with 4th place.

The Children’s Obstacle Course had almost 70 competitive attempts for the Overall Trophy. In the Senior Boys, gold went to Jonathan Jones, silver to Daniel Lewis, bronze to Nick Tuffrey. Senior Girls gold to Sarah Mynott, silver to Amy Healey and bronze to Gina Brookes. The Mixed 9 – 10 year gold went to Jack Layer, 2nd to Matthew Spackman and 3rd to Kate Mynott. The Mixed 8 and under gold went to Alex Healey, silver to Thomas Cairns and bronze to Kathryn Yeomans, only 5½.

The Overall Trophy finally went to the brother of last year’s winner. Jonathan Jones from Sibford Ferris but less than 2 seconds divided three of them – Jonathan, Daniel Lewis and Sarah Mynott.

Bernie Jones achieved her ambition, raising a splendid record £216.65 on the bottle stall ~ well done to each and everyone of you who gave us so many bottles. Will we better it in the Millennium year, Bernie?!

A big thank you to Kathleen Winter, who collected so many items, despite all her personal worries, raising a record £80.60 on the Tombola stall.

Another big thank you goes to Joanna Gilkes and the Lamb family for thinking up, making and running the innovative Human Fruit Machine, causing much mirth. Together with Kayleigh’s Horse Racing they raised £41.69. As most of the games cost only 20p a go, it shows just how popular they all were.

Thanks go to the brave people who went in the Stocks – thank goodness it was such a warm day!

It was exciting to watch the very brave people doing the bungee jump – thanks go to Peter Clifford who provided this huge attraction.

All the games were well supported and thanks to all who ran them. The Scouts barbecue was a sell out – much to our dismay when we didn’t buy early enough! Thanks also to the WI for their special teas and to the Friendship Club who didn’t take long to sell their tables full of goodies. The Playgroup were so successful with their face painting, one grandmother didn’t recognise her grandson. The pony rides were again popular, thanks to Ginny Bennett and Hilary McGuire. The Car Boot seemed to run well alongside the other attractions and raised a further £47. Our thanks to Josie and Bert Marshall from Banbury, who also run the monthly Car Boot Sales at the Hall. Our special thanks to Bert who manned the table all day taking the admission charges.

Finally, many thanks to our own “Man of Sibford” Mr. Eric Payne, who opened all the proceedings, and secretly enjoyed doing it.

The evening’s entertainment again proved to be very popular with another wonderful pig roast. The main thanks go to “Sibford Chef” Keith Sabin, which proved a very hot day long job, together with his staunch helpers. Thanks to everyone who provided extra food for the evening.

AND, of course, after it is all over – the next morning brought in a band of helpers to clear and tidy up, ready for the 90th birthday party which followed. Again very many thanks to all.

The July Collectables and Car Boot Sale raised £99, less advertising, for Hall funds, with again very grateful thanks for items donated for sale.

The next Sale is on Sunday, 1st August, 2.00 to 4.00 p.m. Tables at £5. Refreshments available.