West Dorset: Huge crowds enjoy RNLI fundraiser and Symene Fete (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

West Dorset: Huge crowds enjoy RNLI fundraiser and Symene Fete

1:30pm Wednesday 29th August 2012 in Bridport By Anne Bell

CROWDS turned out in force for bumper events over the bank holiday in Symondsbury and at West Bay .

The event dubbed the biggest grand fete and car boot sale in Dorset swung into action on Sunday and visitors and stallholders made the most of the good weather.

It was the 26th annual Symene Fete held at the sports club in Duck Street when stalls, games, sideshows and entertainments ran alongside a huge car boot sale.

Organiser Richard Balson said that the final proceeds still had to be added up, but that around £10,000 was taken and that would mean thousands for local good causes including the Mark Broad Foundation to help local youngsters progress in sport and the sports club.

“We were so thankful that we had a nice day as so many events this summer have been wash-outs,” said Mr Balson.

“We reckon about 5,000 people turned up, with about 140 car booters.

“This is something the whole Symondsbury community can benefit from and the children at the school use the sports club facilities.

“The organisers would like to thank our sponsors and everyone who contributed in any way and now we are looking forward to next year’s fete.”

The top prize for the Symondsbury’s Got Talent contest went to young local performer Chloe Amber Cash, who split the £100 with another singer, after judges could not decide between the talented pair.

Huge crowds packed West Bay for the annual RNLI Fun Day on Sunday and got a thrilling close-up view of an air-sea rescue.

The search and rescue demonstration from the coastguard helicopter and the RNLI lifeboats from Lyme Regis and Weymouth gave a vivid example of how the rescue services work together.

There were also stalls on the Green including a tombola, rides, cream teas and other attractions.

Fun day co-ordinator Ian Russell said that the demonstration had people digging deep into their pockets to fill the RNLI collection buckets.

“I have to say the demonstration was the best I have ever seen and people were extremely generous when they helped fill the buckets. The weather was brilliant when you consider what had come the day before and after.

“The stalls on the Green did reasonably well, but people perhaps don’t have as much to spend as they normally do, but we were well-pleased with the day.”

Mr Russell said that it would be some time before the total amount raised for the RNLI was known.

The fun day was the final big fundraiser of the season for the RNLI Bridport and West Bay volunteers following the raft race at West Bay and the annual barbecue at Seatown.