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Abthorpe’s first GinFest

Children at Abthorpe Gin Fest.

Forty years ago Abthorpe Feast; as our village fete was often called; took place in June to celebrate the patronal festival of our parish church of St John the Baptist. It was held either on the village green or in the grounds of Leeson House so that an admission charge could be made. All the proceeds were donated to helping the church.
 
In recent years, for a variety of reasons the church fete has not taken place. So a group of villagers led by the Old School Committee decided to organise a village fete again – but this time with a difference. “Join us on the village green to celebrate World Gin Day and sample a few gins from the bar whilst the children play.” That was the invitation that was sent out. But would people come? Would a new concept work?
 
The answer was a resounding “YES!” On Saturday the roads surrounding our village green were officially closed and people young and old flocked to the event. Crowds packed into the tea tent to sample delicious home-made cakes and a home-brewed cuppa. The bar tent served Hooky our local brew whilst the gin tent allowed visitors to sample a large variety of their favourite spirit. There was face painting for the children, skittles, splat-the-rat or in this case splat-the-gin-bottle, tombola, raffles and lots of other ways to prize money from visitors to aid the refurbishment of our village hall. There was constant music – loud and modern! And of course a gin competition won by a lady who just happened to be in Rome when the result was announced. But her daughter, in accepting the prize, said that her mother would be delighted.
 
It really was a wonderful event helped by wonderful weather and a wonderful crowd of people. At the time of writing Lynn  Neasham the Old School Treasurer stated that she was sorry that she was unable to give a final figure but she reported, “We have done very well and have received lots of positive feed-back- so all is good.”

John Riches

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