11-09-2023
Stubbington Fayre (again).
Click the image to step through the pictures.
We had planned the day well with various members taking all our equipment. 4 cars left the shed at 8.30am and it was then that the issues started! There is only a very narrow entrance into the park, and there was a marshal checking everyone in against their reserved plots. That was slow enough as there was only one person doing this but then they would stop checking cars in and making some cars reverse back to allow cars out that had already off loaded! The queuing traffic backed right back to the main roundabout by the Red Lion Pub. RIDICULOUS!!
When we found our allocated area with our little flag for our two pitches, they had not allocated two spaces. A quick repositioning of other flags and we just managed to get our booked footprint.
The team worked well erecting the two gazebos and quickly unloading the trailer and cars. After a few discussions and slight movement of things we set out all the tables, I think we moved Splat The Rat three times before we were happy.
The early arrivals started drifting across with most being attracted to our car boot area at the back. That set the tone for the rest of the day with a steady stream of visitors which at times got very busy and queues forming for “Splat the Rat” that attracted 198 competitors with just a hand full managing to splat one!
Our Woodies had produced some excellent items which created a lot of interest and were fairly priced as they kept our card reader very busy. The "Wine or Whine" stall ran out of water (again) about half an hour before the end and the Live Wire and Bar Skittles attracted some serious competitors with several Dads trying to impress the rest of the family! (A tip from a grandad, it ain't worth the effort, you'll never succeed but don't stop trying).
Towards the end we were visited first by Sean Woodward, Executive Leader of Fareham Borough Council, and then by the Fareham Mayor, Councillor Fred Birket. Both were impressed by how well Fareham Men's Shed had “matured” but unlike many other local councils, including Wickham, no ideas of how to help us to keep offering the vital support and companionship needed by our ever-increasing membership!
The day was a complete success taking a record amount, gaining a lot of enquiries from potential new members, orders for some of our garden furniture and some great PR!
Well done team!
Author: Chris Hodgson