MORE than 2,500 people are expected to flock to Tewkesbury Abbey for the annual Abbey Fete later this month.
The fete has been running in the grounds of the Abbey in Church Street for more than 30 years. Last year it raised over £8,500.
Abbey supporters, residents and organisations from all corners of Tewkesbury are busy preparing for the fete, which runs from 10am to 4pm on May 31. Entry is free.
Abbey Vicar, the Revd Canon Paul Williams said: “We need volunteers for all sorts of things, the more the merrier.”
“The fete is one of our major fundraising events so many people get involved, both those who belong to the Abbey and the wider community, and share the day with us.”
Members of the choir have offered to run the book stall. Local Scouts are running a barbecue and Tewkesbury Town Band will entertain the crowds.
Racing ferrets also promise to be a big attraction, along with fire-eating, a Punch and Judy show, an unrideable bike, target golf, archery, plant stalls and a tea tent.
There will also be commercial stalls selling everything from shoes to stationery via Aloe Vera products.
One volunteer who got the ball rolling was Sue Henderson of Sweets and Treats, Tewkesbury, who offered to supply all the ice cream free.
Abbey executive officer Philippa Shaw said: “Sue said ‘I’ll provide you with the ice cream and sell it myself and the Abbey can keep the profits’. That got me thinking and I wrote to all the hotels and other businesses asking for help with the tea tents, tea bags, all the ingredients for cakes and suchlike. We make thousands of cakes and sell more than 900 cups of tea.
“Everyone rallied round. The Hop Pole pub gave us 400 tea bags, Tewkesbury Park Hotel gave us a round of golf for four people as a prize and Puckrup Hall gave us more tea bags.
“Sue’s idea snowballed. We got more people to help and also cut down on our expenditure.”
Books in good condition are needed and can be dropped off at the Abbey the day before, on Sunday, May 30, between 3pm and 5pm.
Bric-a-brac items can be left in the garage of Abbey House. Homemade cakes can be taken to the Touching Souls Tea Room on the morning of the fete.
Gifts for the choir's tombola can be left at the Abbey office.
Jewellery can be left at the Abbey office or call Joanna Chorley on 01684 293063.
If you have any plants, please ring David Cairns on 01684 292197.
For more information, visit the Abbey website www.tewkesburyabbey.org.uk or call the office on 01684 850959.



Issued on behalf of Tewkesbury Abbey by Vivid on May 19th, 2010. For further information, please contact Deborah Shannon at Vivid on 01684 854408.