Arundel & South Downs MP Nick Herbert performed the official opening ceremony for Thakeham’s Village Day on Saturday (17 June).

The Village Day, which took place on the Glebe Fields, was resurrected last year as a joint initiative by Thakeham Parish Council, Thakeham First School and Thakeham Pre-school. The organisers have been encouraged by the response and hope the Village Day will continue to grow to become a key feature in the village’s community calendar.

Local groups and businesses sponsored stalls at the event, running activities to help raise money for Thakeham’s new Primary School and pre-school.

Alun Hunt, Chairman of the Thakeham Parish Council, said: “A big thanks to everyone who attended and helped make Saturday’s event such a great success. It was wonderful seeing so many youngsters having a great time in the sunshine. Most of the £1,800 raised after costs is going directly back to our local schools.

“This is a time of great change for them, with Thakeham First School moving into its new facilities at Rock Road and becoming a full primary school from this September, and Thakeham Pre-School also moving into their fantastic new building in the Abingworth Meadows development by January. We wish the schools every success in their new homes and expect that they will continue to be at the heart of our future Village Days.”

Sam Norton, Headteacher of Thakeham First School, said: “The Village Day Fayre has been a real example of community collaboration with the preparation and organisation of this led by Thakeham Parish Council, Thakeham Pre School and Thakeham First School.

“Funds from the event will help buy a new outdoor trim trail. The pupils, led by the school council, have been involved in choosing which pieces of apparatus they would like for the trail.”

Nick Herbert said: “I was delighted to open the Village Day at the invitation of the parish council and the first school. It was a pleasure to visit the stalls and talk to residents about local issues.

“I look forward to returning to Thakeham next month to launch the village’s 50th Festival, and to visiting the Primary School after it starts life in its new premises in September.”

ENDS

Notes

1. Photo: Left to right – Alan Hunt, Chairman of Thakeham Parish Council, Nick Herbert MP, Sam Norton, Headteacher of Thakeham First School, and Sharon Rance, Manager of Thakeham Pre-School.

2. This year will be the 50th anniversary of the Thakeham Festival which incorporates a Flower Festival, open gardens, art, music and a dog show. Nick Herbert will be officially opening the Vintage Fashion Show, to launch the Festival, on Thursday 7 July.

For more information about the programme of Thakeham Festival events see http://thakehamparish.co.uk/50th-thakeham-festival-dates-in-july/.

MP opens Thakeham Village Day