Would it be a bank holiday without rain?

Well, not really as it turns out.

Last weekend we attended the Batchley and Brockhill summer fete in Brockhill, Redditch. It was a lovely, traditional fete. It's been so long since I've been an event that's had simple, fun games like musical statues and egg and spoon races. There were kids only races and adult only races. They got the organisers (the local councillor included) to play musical statues. Stallholders took part in a game of tug-of-war. It was a real laugh.

There were a fair few stalls at the event. C&J Crafts were there with their customised items, Batchley Support Group had a tombola, Redditch Cat Rescue were there with lots of adorable cat items, Guide Dogs for the Blind had an adorable collection of puppies training at the event and there were many more community focussed stalls. There really was something for everyone.

Our stall at the start of the day

This weekend was the debut of our new gazebo and boy was it put to the test! Our old gazebo which, if you've been following us long enough, you'll know we had massive trouble putting up and then it tried to fly away despite having weights. It was a mess as it knocked stuff on the table yet another time. So Mike, for the sake of all our sanities, got us a new gazebo. This one doesn't have fifty poles and doesn't threaten to end our marriage every time we try and put it up. Add to that, it's water-proof and under £100, I would highly recommend it. It left us so much more time to focus on the actual display which is the actual fun part.

Close up. Look at all the leggy frogs! Plus, the last photo I'll have of Bracken!

It was a usual set up day for us. I had significantly less stock after the Beach on the Green event in July, so I'm still trying to recover from that bumper weekend. I only had four bees, for example. The amazing sign from Paige (PJartandcrafts), still took pride of place on our stall. I still love having an excuse to put all my adorable plushies out on show.

Everyone who visited us this weekend was so lovely. We had lots of lovely chats with people about everything from how the plushies are made, to Henry being one grumpy dog! The surprise of the weekend for me was that one of my bears that I had originally made ready for the Queen's jubilee all the way back in June 2022, finally found their people! So I hope Bracken is enjoying their new home! It's always so special knowing a plush is going to the right person and that they are going to be loved so much.

Henry sleeping on the way to the event

Henry had a bit of a struggle with over-stimulation and lack of sleep on the day. Henry is very much not a morning dog. He often sleeps until 10:30am before his walk. Imagine his surprise when we ushered him into the car at 7:30am and took him for a walk before going to the event. At the start of the event, I had to abandon Mike at the stall and take Henry for a nap in the car for a bit. That seemed to cheer him up for a while. That was until the heavens opened.

We'd been quite lucky that it had been fairly sunny for most of the event. There was the odd spit of rain but nothing that was too heavy and it usually passed followed by sunshine peaking through the clouds. At about 2pm, however, the heavens opened. It was like having a shower in your clothes...except the water wasn't warm.

The gazebo thankfully saved all the plushies from having a rinse. I wish I could say the same for my chair! I didn't look before I sat on my chair with Henry on my lap and sat down into a lake that had pooled into the centre of the camp chair! Mike's chair wasn't any better! So Mike sent me off with Henry back to the car so we could take shelter.

It wasn't long after this that the organisers decided to call off the last two hours of the event. It initially didn't seem like the right call because, like earlier, the sun began shining as soon as the rain ended. But, it became evident on the way home, that it was not finished pouring yet! There was even the odd rumble of thunder which made me very grateful not to be stood under a metal structure in the middle of a field in!

Overall, it was a really fun event. I think everyone who went had a laugh at something. Whether they took part in the events or just watched, it really felt like a community event rather than just another fete. I think, with the way the world is at the moment, spending a minute to just have fun as a community is not to be underrated.

Close up of the centre of my stall

Until next time!