What a washout!  But despite the appalling weather conditions, over 300 people braved the elements and waded through the mud to support the Exeter Leukaemia Fund.  We couldn't’t believe how many people came and Rupert and I want to say a huge ‘THANK YOU’ to those intrepid supporters.  We took approx. £3,500 on the day, a remarkable sum considering the circumstances.
The generosity of our sponsors, friends and individuals who gave us donations meant that all the money taken on the day was profit and therefore went straight to ELF.
Our thanks go to all the people who, in the most frightful conditions, came along on the Friday to help set up - and again on the morning of the fair.  We were quite overwhelmed by the kindness of people who volunteered to help.
A special thank you must go to the Pethericks,  Chris Bailey and to Robert Barkwell, who lent tractors to pull tents, loos, stall holders and anyone who needed it, in and out of the mud.  Patricia and Sonia Lindsay were wonderful – they let us use their field for parking. Without their immensely kind offer of help we would have had to cancel the event as our field was too wet for anything other than 4x4s.  Andrew Cox and Adrienne Fryer were particularly helpful too, on the morning of the fair, with tow ropes etc.
Sadly, due to the weather, we were not able to have all that was promised on the posters, flyers etc.  The wonderful Berkshire Lady for instance, would have disappeared into the mud and sunk without trace!  But hopefully, she will be able to be with us next year.

We were badly let down at the last minute by the Archers who originally said they could come but the Okehampton Castle Archers stepped into the breach at the last minute.  Due to the weather conditions they were not able to be with us for very long but we do thank them for ‘saving the day’

One of the events which didn't’t mind the weather was the casting competition.  After all, Torridge fishermen are quite used to standing chest deep in water!  Charles Inniss organized it beautifully and a lot of fun and healthy competition was had.

Some of the children’s events had to be cancelled as they were to be outside but Frances Gillies arranged fun and games in the ‘play tent’ and I think everyone had a good time.  The big slide was popular with the children but not with parents I’m afraid.  More like a water slide…so apologies to all parents!

The ELF plant stall and the ELF produce stall were very successful.  Susan Gill produced some wonderful plants and Anna Chalcroft had a table laden with goodies to eat.  Our thanks to everyone involved.

The Tug of War was a real crowd puller.  Thank you Madeleine and Ray Taylor for organizing that.  The Tally Ho pub in Hatherleigh is now the proud owners of the shield.

Rowena Cotton organized the most amazing tombola and Digby and Sue Greenhill a superb raffle.  Both these fund raisers did really well.  Thank you everyone who contributed prizes and to all those who helped on the day.

A huge thank you to Michael Whiteley, who did the most superb job in organizing the traffic and parking.  Not an easy job under such nightmare conditions – and Stewart, who ferried people to and from the parking area with great skill and patience.

And, of course, our thanks to Jeremy Rougier.  Without his brilliant and humorous commentary I think the day would not have been the great fun day it was.  He managed to keep everyone’s spirits up even in the worst downpour.

SEE YOU ON SATURDAY, 28TH JUNE, 2008!

Susie and Rupert Lascelles