CHURT Village Fete was celebrating all things ‘Birthday’ as this year’s theme last Saturday.

As well as being the Queen’s official birthday on June 9, it was also the 150th anniversary of the consecration of St John’s Church, the 90th anniversary for the village hall and 70 years of the Churt Horticultural and Produce Society.

The fete was opened by Gillian Morris, headteacher of St John’s C of E Infant School, before the chairman received a ‘telegram’ from Her Majesty. The Queen apologised that her corgies would not be entering the Dog Show, but nevertheless wished the committee a successful fete.

Accompanying Farnham Brass Band, everyone joined in to sing Happy Birthday to the Queen.

Around 1,750 visitors joined in the party - a record number - resulting in a successful afternoon for the stalls.

The coconut shy stall ran out of coconuts, the queue for the bottle tombola was as long as ever, the Women’s Institute ran out of sandwiches, but luckily not tea or cakes, the Dog Show was very popular and the family games were a particular hit.

Following the success of the free Bucking Bronco challenge last year, the committee decided to fund a similar attraction - the Surf Board challenge. This proved to be a similar success with the record held at 4.5 seconds.

The Churt Heritage stall was a new addition at this year’s fete, formed to both promote the village’s history and to keep it safe.

The Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust has displayed reptiles, such as sand lizards and smooth snakes, unique to the area surrounding Churt for many years at the village fete, educating and delighting everyone who visits.

A spokesperson from the fete committee said: “The fete can only happen if enough of us volunteer to help with erecting and taking down, so a big ‘thank you’ to you all from the committee.

“A special mention must be made particularly to those who volunteered to manage the parking.”