2013
Plans are in place for an ambitious revival of a traditional Cornish event which goes back many generations.
And the organisers are keen to learn more about its history.
The Caerhays summer fete will be staged for the first time in over 30 years in June. It is a major undertaking and many local organisations are involved in its planning.
It will be held on Father’s Day, the 16th of June 2013 “to celebrate summer and to provide people with good, fun, family entertainment.”
It will also bring community groups together, restore a well-remembered tradition and raise money for local causes.
The spectacular surroundings of Caerhays Castle and estate and will provide the backdrop to the fete, which will feature many of the attractions that would have been enjoyed by previous generations.
There will be more modern kinds of fun and entertainment as well, said Caerhays marketing manager, Lucinda Rimmington.
“Many people in the area recall the fete taking place in different parts of the estate – by the beach and in front of the castle for instance.
“It is a special venue and there is room for a lot of people and their cars so we hope for a good turnout. Local charities and organisations will benefit directly as a result,” she said.
This is a fete on a grand scale, with the accent on fun.
The first £3,000 raised will benefit Caerhays church. Any further funds will be distributed amongst various local groups.
“Over the last few years we have made the estate available as a venue for charities to stage their own fund-raising event.
“But this year we have decided to revive the Caerhays fete and make it a real community experience,” said Lucinda.
“The whole idea – as well as raising money for community causes – is to celebrate summer and to provide people with good, fun, family entertainment.”
Time-proven features and competitions – such as tug-of-war, a coconut shy, archery, quoits and morris dancing – will create a tangible atmosphere of yesteryear.
And a modern twist will be provided by events such as welly-wanging, a penalty shoot-out, a Pimm’s stand and a barbershop quartet.
There will be a craft marquee and a dog show, with classes ranging from the waggiest tail and the most appealing eyes to the best trick and the best rescued or re-homed dog.
Children with dogs can enter and a ‘sausage fishing’ competition will give competing dogs a tasty treat!
With a beer tent, brass band, bouncy castle, craft stalls, demonstrations and food in various forms, this will be “a great day of summer celebration,” said Lucinda.
Room for craft and other stalls is limited but the organisers want as much variety as possible so the advice is to book early.
Anyone with memories of the fete from years ago* is asked to make contact with one of the organising team on the day so that a history of this important local tradition can be built up.
Some of the organisations that have come together to organise the fete are Caerhays Estate, local scouts, police cadets, Gorran Cricket Club, Cornwall Hospice Care, Roseland School and Caerhays Church.
Clare Bray, from Cornwall Hospice Care, has been involved in the organisation of the fete from the start. She said:
“We had our own fete at Caerhays two years ago and it was a great success. It is a lovely place to hold such an event and I am sure we will have a brilliant occasion in June. The fete has a broad scope, which is testament to the commitment of the community groups involved.”
The fete’s main sponsor is Towergate Insurance, who are brokers to the Caerhays estate.
Account executive Lee Tucker said the firm was Europe’s largest independently-owned insurance broker and that families and small businesses were at the heart of their business.
“This type of event enables us to show our support for them and we hope everyone attending the summer fete has a memorable day out.”
For more information on taking a stall at the fete please contact the estate office on 01872 501310 or email enquiries@caerhays.co.uk
*It was 30 years ago...
Leslie Palmer, aged 77, used to be Caerhays farm manager. He and his wife Barbara still live on the farm and remember the fete well from the old days.
Barbara recalls:
“It must be 30 years since the last one was held. Everyone was involved and we used to raise money for the chapel and the village hall but in time these places closed. It used to be a big part of our year and on the day there would be a carnival, dances in the hall, a band and teas for the children. Quite an event really.
“It was a grand affair but the village has changed a lot. In those days, most people who lived here worked on the estate or the farm or were connected in some way. People didn’t have cars so everything revolved around the village.
“Nowadays many people work out of the village whereas we used to work together and play together. It was a close community. I think this year’s fete will be something to bring people together as a community again.”
Leslie, said Barbara, is the oldest-surviving former employee of the estate.