West Alvington Church held its annual church fete last Saturday, as crowds flocked to see what was on offer.

All Saints Church, West Alvington, held the fete on June 30 at Bowringsleigh, by kind permission of Michael and Nicky Manisty. The sun shone and crowds flocked to the venue to see the children of West Alvington Primary School Academy sing songs, take a tour of the beautiful gardens, enjoy cream teas on the terrace and then savour the barbecue.

Martyn Norsworthy, who photographed the event, said: “Its been a long tradition to hold the Fete on the lawns of this magnificent country house. This year’s fete proved a big hit and raised more money for the upkeep of our historic church than for many years.

“The sun shone and people enjoyed the many different side shows. The ever popular cream teas sold out early, which meant the barbecue started early, and everyone enjoyed the welcome shade of the two fine cherry trees.

“The Fete was officially opened by Sylvia Norsworthy. She has lived in the village all her life and seemed a fitting way to celebrate her retirement as church warden. Alongside being church warden for almost 30 years, she is chairman of the West Alvington Horticultural Society, on the Village Hall Committee, the Church Council, and over the years has taught Sunday School, been a school caretaker, dinner lady and classroom assistant. She is what village community life is all about.”

Churchwarden and fete organiser, Keith Steer, said: “There was a host of sideshows, some serious with monetary prizes and others more frivolous. The ice cream stall sold out in no time and the free glass of Pimm’s was a massive hit.

“The children were delving into the paddling pools to hook out the ducks, some were bowling for a duck dinner and many were queued at the bottle tombola to win a cool drink.

“Guessing the weight of the two tiered chocolate cake, before it became soup in the heat, was great fun and the children scrambled to guess the number of sweets in a large jar.

“The grand raffle went like a storm, cakes were sold quickly, hampers and fruit were won, naming the toy was pot luck and the wheel of fortune gave one lucky winner £30.

“Bric-a-brac and second hand book kept everyone interested and the gate keeper had never witnessed a queue winding its way down the lane to the property before.”

He added that it was a “very successful day” and he was “delighted with our achievements – the following day I was able to confirm that we had raised a record take of £3,121 - so pleasing.

“The attendees were all very disappointed that an individual chose to deface a yellow banner advertising the fete and its entrance. The event was purely organised to raise funds for the upkeep and wellbeing of the beautiful church at All Saints and had no other connection to events and decisions in the local area.

“Sadly this will cost a lot of money to put right.”