THE afternoon downpour didn't stop villagers in Pillowell from enjoying this year's annual fete on Saturday (September 7).

For the first time the fete teamed up with Pillowell School to host a school art event at the Recreation Field. The show start time was brought forward to avoid the risk of the Punch and Judy show being rained off and many people turned up.

There were lots of stalls, children's activities and of course a large barbecue which all helped to raise around £1,000 for the maintenance of the village hall.

Committee member, Steve Fagan said: "We were lucky with the weather, in the morning it looked a bit touch and go so we decided to bring the start time of the Punch and Judy show forward. Just as it finished it started raining and it was around the time art teacher, Sarah Rickard, was going to present the awards and prizes to the winners of the art event but this will now happen some time this week at the school.

"The theme was Summer Watch and the children had to create something that resembled what summertime in the Forest meant to them. The three winners of the Best Entries category was Charlie Willetts in first who will receive an acrylic paint and canvas set, in second was Ollie McComiskey who will receive a box of oil pastels and sketch book and in third was Ethan Manwaring-Taylor who will get a large scraperboard, sketch book and felt tip pens.

"Three pupils were also given a highly commended award and they were: Alivia Scott, George Howard and Maddie Whillie who will all receive scraperboard sets and felt tip pens. All the art work will not only be used for the Pillowell village events publicity in the future but also on commemorative items at fundraising events.

"We have been undergoing lots of changes at the hall recently and have since had a surge of new younger members join the committee. This is great as they connect with lots of people in the community and we are finding that the hall is being used more. The money we raised will help no end in maintaining the hall."