Fairlands Hosts A Fabulous Festival Of Fun

Published on: 21 Sep, 2013
Updated on: 26 Sep, 2013

Crowds flocked to a day of fun activities in Fairlands on Saturday (September 21), hosted as a fundraiser for its community centre. A total of £4,192.77 was raised.

Everyone enjoyed the wellie-boot throwing!

The entrance to Fairlands from the A323 Aldershot Road was decked with balloons and bunting and this continued throughout the estate that is part of Worplesdon parish.

Audrey and Michael Collins look at the local history exhibition.

The community centre was busy serving refreshments all day and in the hall there were displays by a number of groups and organisations including the Fairlands art group, Fairlands WI, pictures drawn by pupils of Worplesdon School, plus a local history exhibition with lots of nostalgic photos of people and places associated with Fairlands and the wider parish.

Craft in Company is a group that does just that. It meets at St Francis’ Church Hall in Weston Road, Guildford.

The sports field was packed with stallholders selling all manner of items including books, crafts, food and bric-a-brac. There was plenty of entertainment for the children, music from the Surrey-based Police Unity Memorial Band, and lots of traditional games and races – the wellie boot throwing being particularly popular with young and old alike.

The history walkers (and dog) with their guide David Rose, pictured at St Mary’s Church in Perry Hill.

Local historian and Guildford Dragon NEWS writer David Rose led more than 20 people on a guided history walk from the centre up to Perry Hill and back. David pointed out snippets of history along the way that including viewing the outside of some fine buildings such as Littlefield Manor, Merrist Wood House and Maryland.

Local resident Geoff Burch met the group at Perry Hill and spoke of his family’s connection with that part of the parish. A stop at St Mary’s Church included a fascinating talk about its long history by retired GP and long-standing church member Anothony Hillard.

For younger walkers there was an alphabet trail around Fairlands with prizes, while Surrey Wildlife Trust ranger for the Worplesdon group of commons, Mark Havler, led a walk looking at the natural history of the commons.

Ready to blow some bubbles…

The festival of fun closed with scores of children (and some older ones!) blowing bubbles which floated gracefully across the sports field.

The event was organised by members of the Fairlands, Liddington Hall and Gravetts Lane Community Association (FLGCA).

Pictured with the Deputy Mayor of Guildford, David Elms, and his wife Wendy (far right and left), organiser Sheila Willis and the chairman of the FLGCA, Kerry Butler.

It was largely the idea of Fairlands resident Sheila Willis. She was really pleased with the day and wishes to thank all those who came and supported the festival. She thanked her husband Bob and their family, Alison, Jen, Ali and Scott, for all their help, along with the members of FLGCA and others from the community who volunteered their services.

Further pictures from the day.

Listening to the band.

Fun slides for children.

The art exhibition.

Fairlands Women’s Institute’s stand.

Bubble time.

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