The past two years has seen a revival of the village fete, an annual event in Upchurch until the early 1980s, but what were its origins?
The word fete comes from the French word fete champétre meaning rural feast and the event originated from France. Village fetes became popular in England from the 1890s.
Reverend Trew and his daughter Winnifred thought up the idea of a fete in Upchurch which took place for the first time on Saturday June 28th, 1905. It took the form of a garden fete on the vicarage lawn with the aim of raising money for a new church organ. Financial responsibility for this lay with the parochial church committee which included Holywell headmaster Mr Maltravers, churchwarden James Holloway, bellringer Bill Hyland, village cobbler George Dawson, Mr C Bishop and Mr W Barrell.
Winnifred Trew organised the placement of wooden stalls on the vicarage lawn then parochial church committee members assembled and erected them. Miss Trew also set up two treasure hunts, a putting green and a bran tub. Seymour Wakeley from Rainham helped with the stabling of horses at the vicarage and the setting up of a stage where speeches were given while the village pubs offered free accommodation to visitors.
With glorious weather on the day the New Brompton Boy’s Band began with the National Anthem then Lady Harris opened the fete with a short speech. Winnifred Trew presented her with a bouquet of roses followed by short speeches of thanks by churchwarden James Holloway and Holywell headmaster Mr Maltravers. After this 16 children from the Infant’s School performed maypole dancing then entertainment took place on the tennis court adjacent to the lawn where a local ventriloquist named Mr Dillon gave two performances. Between performances the New Brompton Boy’s Band played music and a gramophone was also used to entertain visitors. After the entertainment old people were served tea on twenty tables set out around the lawn.
A variety of stalls sold produce which included a fancy stall run by Infant’s School headmistress Miss Armstrong, while others sold fruit and flowers in decorative baskets and punnets. These were overseen by Mrs Stevens and Mr Maltravers from Holywell.
Although quite basic and small, the first fete proved successful with a good attendance and raised sufficient funds for a new church organ purchased from Messrs Morton and Ellis of Sevenoaks and installed in the church in August 1905.
The Upchurch village fete continued annually after 1905 but had moved from the vicarage lawn to The Paddock as it became bigger and more popular by the 1920s. It raised money for different village causes throughout its existence and its recent revival allows it to continue in a slightly different form as an annual village event once again.
About David
David Wood was born and raised in Upchurch and is able to write from personal experience about many people and aspects of the village and of changes that have taken place over the years making ‘Memories of Upchurch’ a very readable book and a detailed historical study of the village. David's book ‘Memories of Upchurch’ is available direct from David at: david3702001@yahoo.co.uk or from us here at Upchurch Matters. Price £12 + £3.50 postage and packing.
David Wood
