THE fun of the fete is returning to the Cathedral Close with the annual Bishop’s Summer Fete on Sunday (June 18).

The event takes place at South Canonry, the Bishop’s house at number 71, from 2pm to 5pm, and is in aid of the Sudan Medical Link.

Entertainment includes everything from a brass band to live camels, to the Cathedral’s Junior and Youth Choirs. All the usual fête stalls and games will be there. This is a rare chance to see the beautiful South Canonry gardens. Visitors can also take a ride in a vintage car before enjoying tea and cake by the river.

Every year, the fête raises more than £10,000 for the Salisbury-Sudan Medical Link, which supports healthcare in Sudan and South Sudan, two of the world’s poorest countries.

The Link supplies medicine and equipment, including basics like bandages, disinfectant, and anti-malarials. It also trains local people as medical workers, including training midwives in South Sudan, which has the highest rate of women dying in childbirth on the planet - one in seven.

Mike Maclachlan, who visited South Sudan earlier this year to attend the graduation of four medical trainees who were sponsored by the Sudan Medical Link.

He said: “Martina and Luka graduated as Enrolled Midwives, Angelina as a Registered Midwife and Samuel as a Registered Nurse. Another six Salisbury-sponsored students will qualify next year and a further six will begin later this year.

“Each of the four, having earned their diploma, has returned to clinics in their home Dioceses to minister primary health care to their communities – prescribing medicines supplied by the Medical Link – simple remedies saving lives and simple skills saving mothers in childbirth.

“Meanwhile, back in the capital Juba, our pharmacy was already preparing for the dispatch of another consignment of primary healthcare medicines – the third in 2017.”