Smiles and Summer Sunshine for the Summer Fair!

The weather couldn’t have been better for this year’s Teddington Village Fair at Udney Hall Gardens. Volunteers were on hand from 7.30am onwards on June 24th to erect stalls, bouncy castles and gazebos, deliver ponies, a lifeboat, a dinghy and a skiff, in preparation for the hundreds of people who visited us from midday onwards.

This year’s entertainment acts delighted audiences ranging from grandparents to toddlers; Juggling Jake’s Circus and the Carnival of the Animals (above) were hugely popular with the children, while the British Airways Brass Band and Redshift provided lively music for all ages. And, as always, the young members of the Teddington Dance Studio went through energetic routines in the afternoon sunshine. Meanwhile, ponies from the Park Lane Stables in Teddington gave gentle rides to children ranging from toddlers upwards.

Food a-plenty was on hand, not least a constant supply of beef burgers from the 3rd Teddington Scout Group; nearby were the Richmond District Scouts, who were raising money to send a delegation to next year’s World Jamboree in West Virginia. There were also local speciality burgers from Mr Pig Stuff BBQ, who didn’t stop grilling all day. Shambles restaurant and wine bar were on hand to provide an endless supply of prosecco, beer and other liquid necessities – and for those needing to cool down by other means, ice-cream in myriad flavours was readily available from Vincenzo’s Ice Cream van.

Further refreshments, including a fine glass of Pimm’s, were on hand at the Church Hall – as was a large-screen television for fans watching the England-Panama World Cup football match.

We were delighted to welcome the Deputy Mayor of Richmond, Cllr Mona Adams; Sir Vince Cable MP (who arrived, as usual, on his bicycle!); Mrs Lacy Curtis Ward, CEO of the Lensbury; and a number of borough councillors during the afternoon. All proceeds from the event are being donated to local charities which will be announced soon.

Finally, our grateful thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s Village Fair: the stall-holders, entertainers, organisers, face-painters, refreshment providers, litter pickers, and everyone who came to enjoy the day. And special thanks to our sponsors: The Lensbury, Teddington Riverside, the National Physical Laboratory, and our latest sponsor, Palmers Solicitors.

You can see plenty of photos from the Village Fair here and a video here