Saturday July 2nd, 12 noon to 5pm, Church Field, Coldridge

COLDRIDGE Fete, Vintage Rally and Flower Festival 2016 promises to be an exciting and enjoyable day for everyone.

The action-packed event is held every other year in The Church Field, adjoining Coldridge Village Hall and St Matthew’s Church (by kind permission of the Keast family), and profits from the event go towards both the hall and church.

The church bells will ring from 11.30am to 12 noon, when the fete will be declared open.

This year the honoured guest who will be performing this task will be Sue Read, former Editor of the "Crediton Courier".

Main ring attractions throughout the day will include a dog agility demonstration, Winkleigh Morris, Eggesford Foxhounds, grand parades of Vintage Tractors, Cars and Motorbikes and much more.

This year there will be more than 65 tractors at the Vintage Rally.

The tractors range in age from a 1919 Fordson up to 1982 Deutz. Other makes present will include Ford, Allis Chalmers, John Deere, Ferguson, Field Major, David Brown and Massey-Ferguson.

One of the Fordson Majors will be driving a Ransomes threshing machine to demonstrate how this was done before the advent of combine harvesters.

The Rally section is also lucky in having a Burrell Agricultural engine, one of the earliest forms of motorised power on a farm.

CARS AND TRACTORS

Amongst the vintage and classic cars there will be a 1910 Highwheeler from the USA.

From the 1930’s cars on display will include Talbot, Morris Riley and Jaguar SS.

Cars the public may remember from their own childhood will include classics such as Riley, Wolseley, Austin, Standard and Citroen and from the 60s there will be Minis, Morris Minor, Lotus, Sunbeam Alpine and MGB right up to Jaguar XJ’s from the 1990’s.

There will be some lovely old stationary engines which were very popular on farms in the 1940’s and 50’s and some motorbikes too. The Vintage Rally is sponsored by Phil and Neil Bragg of Southmoor Farm Machinery.

Everyone is invited to go along and talk to these enthusiastic owners and see their vehicles in action in the ring parades.

Two local live bands "All or Nothing"  Rhythm and Blues Band and "Johnny Monument Jazz" will play during the day.

The Fete will also include a Countryside Area, with crafts, a craft marquee, and a large number of stalls and fun and games.

FUN DOG SHOW

As well as the Dog Agility display there will be an opportunity for members of the public to let their dogs take part in a separate ring.

There will be a Fun Dog Show organised by Debra and John Board and which this year is being sponsored and judged by the St Boniface Veterinary Practice.  There will be 10 classes and a Best in Show.

As well as the traditional Tea Tent there will be locally produced barbecue food and chips plus ice creams on sale.  Also a bar run by members of the Social Club.

FLOWER FESTIVAL

A fantastic Flower Festival featuring many displays will be on display in St Matthew’s Church.

The theme is "Village Life in Coldridge - A Floral History of Work".

Individuals and groups from the parish will create the displays, including the Quilting Club, Toddler Group, Coldridge Painters and among the village life represented will be farming, young people, the church, May Day, Tea with the WI and much more.

There will be a table display of competition entries for a bird or animal made from fruit or vegetables and these will be judged by Sue Read.

The North Tawton Fire Brigade will be present with their Fire Engine on the Village Green and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service will also be sending a T5 Driving Experience Simulator.

There will be plenty of parking on the field and admission is reasonably priced for all the family.

Alan Quick