AS secretary of The Berwick St John Country Fayre, I am very grateful to you for sending out a photographer to our event which took place on September 13 and 14 and for the article you wrote in last week’s Journal.

I would like to emphasise that all profits will be going to the Salisbury District Hospital Stars Appeal. Despite having record numbers of exhibitors and visitors, a final figure of the amount raised really won’t be known until early November.

Your headline of £27,000 was in fact the money that was raised at the Fayre in 2012 for The Stars Appeal and not this year. The Berwick St John Country Fayre really is a community event, with so many people taking part and getting involved.

Last weekend’s Fayre was the culmination of 18 months in the planning by a dedicated team, with the entire community playing their part.

We are all thrilled to work so closely and share such a partnership with the team of the Stars Appeal.

There were many heavy horses, lots of steam and stationary engines, a craft tent, steam ploughing, threshing, wood sawing, vintage tractors, bikes, classic cars and commercial vehicles as well as rural craft demonstrations and military exhibits including a special First World War display.

The tea tent, decorated and run by the ladies of the village, was a spectacle with hundreds of cakes, all of which had been donated, while the beer tent had a terrific line-up of bands throughout the weekend.

On Sunday an open air church service was held with an unprecedented huge crowd, commemorating the First World War and Berwick’s fallen.

There was also a memorial moment held for the late Jonathan Everett who died suddenly earlier in the year, who loved his tractors and particularly the Berwick Fayre. A bride and groom also had their wedding of 50 years blessed.

It was quite a morning, with all the steam engines sounding their whistles at the appropriate moments of reflection and celebration. There is a special feel about this event, all exhibitors attend because they want to be there, no one is paid haulage and no show appearance money changes hand, perhaps that’s what gives it that traditional warm and friendly atmosphere.

The directors, committee and local community would like to thank everyone who supported the Fayre and help make it, once again, a very special event.

The amount of money raised will be announced and presented to the Stars Appeal at a presentation evening at Berwick St John Village Hall on Saturday, November 15 at 7.30pm – all are welcome.

With grateful thanks to all those in our splendid community.

Louise Hall

Secretary

The Berwick St John Country Fayre