We’ve held back on reporting on this year’s Berwick Fayre so we could let our readers know how much money has been raised for Salisbury District Hospital’s Stars Appeal. Entry to this amazing event remains FREE with the invitation simply to put something in the donation bucket at the gate. And the Fayre organisers have been overwhelmed by the public’s generosity this year – a cheque for over £31,000 has in recent days been put in the hands of SDH ambassadors. It’s an extraordinary achievement for what is still very much a local event.
We are truly proud to be associated with one of the best one-day summer events in the Salisbury area, the Berwick St John Country Fayre. The Fayre takes place biennially in mid-September as a follow-up to the Great Dorset Steam gathering and this year the ‘Berwick Bash’ came roaring back with all its usual colour and vibrancy. Set in the beautiful Chalke Valley, Berwick Fayre is absolutely at the heart of our rural and farming community and features vintage tractors, cars and commercial vehicles; full size and miniature steam engines and traction engines; heavy horses and cart rides as well as a host of fairground rides, displays, trade stands, food outlets and rural craft demonstrations.
Tracey Butterworth of John Woolley Ltd took her young family to the Fayre this year and gave her own verdict:
‘A beautiful day for this year’s Berwick Bash and a fun day was had by all. You could take a steam engine ride around the showground, cadge a lift on a horse and carriage or just enjoy a close look at a Romany caravan. There was a selection of army vehicles too – a hit with my 11 year-old son.
There were funfair rides and games for the children (our favourite was the Coconut Shy!) and for me, the local trade stands featuring vintage goods and traditional country crafts were a real draw.
If you felt a little peckish there were masses of food outlets and an inviting tea&cake stand, not to mention the ice cream vans (who did very good business) and our particular favourite, the fudge stall. For those who wanted a drink and a catch-up, the beer tent proved a popular venue.’
