THE organisers of Bisley Strawberry Fayre were anxious about the predicated extreme temperatures but a cool breeze made the day bearable and hundreds of people again turned up for the event.

The large selection of stalls this year included locally-produced honey, plants, vegetables and even gin. 

Back by popular demand were the Pimms cocktails to quench the thirst at Pimms o’clock and a traditional hog roast was served by Peaky Blinders characters, with la poutine as a tasty alternative.

And, of course, the delicious strawberries and cream were being served, thanks to the strawberry team cutting them all up in the morning and the cream being expertly whipped by Dorothy Tamplin, who has been doing this job for 30 years. 

This year, three groups providing the entertainment for the fayre use Bisley Village Hall for their rehearsals – Almac Bisley Brass Band, Springbox Gymnastics and, new for 2023, Hero Martial Arts.

Joining them were the Bisley C of E Primary School Choir and Gordon’s School’s renowned pipes and drums band, as well as the popular traditional Chobham Morris dancers, who entertained around the venue and involved the audience in some of their dances.  

The programme cover this year had a wildlife theme – and to complement this, Year 2 and 3 children from Bisley Primary were given a Bug Art Design Challenge  to create a bug out of nature materials  during an activity sleepover.  

The judging panel were impressed by the imaginative designs and use of materials. 

All the children who took part received a certificate and four pupils received goody bags which included an insect house to decorate and hang up in their gardens.

There was a free bug hunt around the fayre, with eight cartoon characters to find and prizes for children who completed the hunt.   

During the fayre, the parish council awarded the Andy Gill Memorial Award to Citizen of the Year Norman Holden – the first person in the village to have received the award twice.

Organiser Sue Smith said: “A huge thank-you to all the volunteers involved with the Strawberry Fayre and the help of personnel from 1 Army Training Regiment – ATC Pirbright.  

“Without our lovely volunteers who organise the event and the many volunteers who help on the day, the fayre would not be able to continue.”

Money raised will be put towards continuing to improve the energy efficiency of the village hall with LED lighting and PIR lights.