HOT sunshine and blue skies came to Tilford on Saturday, July 9, as the village’s celebration of the Rio Olympics was opened with a grand carnival procession that suggested tropical heat, fruit and music.

The English weather didn’t quite play its part but remained dry and allowed a colourful and energetic procession around the green

All Saints School, Waverley Abbey School, Tilford Brownies and Showshack dancers showed off their salsa and rumba-dancing skills, led by the indomitable and exhausting force of nature that is Kate Shaw, principal of Surrey Dance Fitness and a village local.

Fifty-eight stalls populated Tilford Green, including five from Weydon School as part of a year nine business studies project - giving students the opportunity to plan, budget and run their own enterprise.

Other stalls included All Saints Church, the Rural Life Centre, Tilford Cricket Club, Tilford Tennis Club and The Village Shop.

With a focus on the village itself public house The Barley Mow, invigorated under its new management sponsored the event, allowing the fete to raise funds for local charities.

On the cricket square visitors were entertained with dancing and gym displays by the villages two schools, the dog show which was sponsored AnA’s Pet ‘n’ Tack and families competed in the family challenge which involved an array of traditional games and activities, such as the wheelbarrow race, three-legged race and welly tossing.

For the third year in a row the Eldridge’s (Kipper, Lia, Noah, Iris, Art and Fran) carried off the trophy.

The duck race was the first of the events on the river followed by the ever popular rat race sponsored by The Village Shop.

The six ducks were sponsored by local businesses 1st Call Trees, Harvest Wood, Michael Humphries, Rushmoor Motor Company, Frensham Garden Centre and AnA’s Pet ‘n’ Tack.

Around 1,000 people attended this year’s fete, raising considerable amounts of money for the stallholders, all of whom contribute to the fete’s running costs and supported charities and causes, such as the villagers picnic which sees around 200 to 300 villages out on the green sharing food, having a gossip and dancing the night away.

The team are always looking for new ideas and committee members, for more information contact Ali Welch via www.tilfordvillagefete.org.uk.