Spirit of our Community

On behalf of the community of Crosspool, we would like to say a huge “Thank You” to everyone who took part in this year’s Summer Fayre. The event was a tremendous success, bringing together people of all ages from near and far to celebrate the vibrant spirit of our community.

Although the forecast was for stormy weather, the morning of Saturday 8th July started off bright but overcast, allowing us to begin setting up the marquees, gazebos, and inflatable bouncy castle on the field. With the looming threat of rain, the bouncy slide found its place alongside the bric-a-brac tombola and bookstall in the hall. The atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation as we prepared for a day filled with laughter, music, and delightful activities.

As the clock struck 1pm, dark clouds gathered ominously overhead, the heavens opened and the rain began to fall. It was not the most promising start to the afternoon, but our spirits remained undampened. Miraculously, the rain moved away, making way for the warmth of the afternoon to shine through, turning what could have been a dreary affair into a really wonderful occasion for the many visitors who joined us.

One of the highlights of the fayre was the performance by the immensely talented Cobalt Tales. Hailing from Wigan and Stockport but now based in Sheffield, this singer-songwriting female duo captivated the audience with their heartfelt music that stirred the soul. Pat, with her powerful vocals, expertly played the acoustic guitar and harmonica, while Nuala showcased her skills on the bass guitar and added harmonies with her clarinet, whistles, and acoustic guitar. Their combined influences and writing talents created a unique blend of musical styles, evoking the spirit of artists like Bob Dylan and Mary Chapin Carpenter. Cobalt Tales released their debut album, ‘Ever Changing Blue,’ in 2019, and the fayre served as a platform for them to share their exciting new material for future albums.

Dave Bolsover’s DDD Guitar Group delivered an inspirational performance, leaving aspiring musicians dreaming of future stardom.

In addition to the captivating musical performances, the fayre offered a myriad of attractions for people of all ages.

Inside the hall, children giggled with delight as Barney Baloney entertained them with his rousing routine, accompanied by the mischief of Henry the cheeky monkey up to his usual tricks, whilst the adults enjoyed a cream tea provided by Liz and the Crosspool Wi team.

The local Holly Hagg Alpacas and Llama were a big favourite with the children as was Carina’s face painting, the Huck a Duck and the traditional side stalls/attractions – wet sponge. splat the rat, archery, coconut shy, (All the children received a gift for a happy smile), books, bric-a-brac, hot dogs, burgers, and ice creams to mention but a few.

Our gratitude to both Jane Saxton for organising this year’s scarecrow competition and to Andrew Duckenfield (Greencross Pharmacy) for his support to the community of Crosspool in selecting the winners of the competition.

We had 12 amazing entries depicting this year’s theme, Children’s TV Shows. All were of a very high standard, making it challenging for the judge to choose the front-runners. The talent and creativity displayed by the participants were truly impressive.

The winners were announced by Jane, the host of the event. She commended all the participants for their hard work and dedication, acknowledging the effort they had put into their entries. It was evident that each submission was a labour of love.

Taking first place was the Dyer Family, whose depiction of the beloved character Duggee captured the hearts of the judges. They received not only the prestigious title and certificate but also a voucher worth £25, allowing them to indulge in their favourite treats and goodies from the Crosspool Chemist.

In close second place was the Richards Family, whose entry showcased the iconic Mr Bean Boy. Their attention to detail and artistic flair earned them the title of first runner-up. Along with a certificate of achievement, they were also awarded a voucher for a delightful dinner for two from the Crosspool Fishery.

Coming in as the second runner-up was the Rushby Family, whose portrayal of Peppa Pig’s Grandad delighted everyone. Their entry was filled with charm and brought a smile to everyone’s face. They were presented with a certificate of recognition and a £10 Nest Café voucher to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee or a tasty treat.
We congratulate all the winners and extend our appreciation to every participant for making the event a resounding success.
Thank you to everyone who entered this year’s competition. The organisers hope that the variety of entertaining individual creations encourages everyone to enter next year.

Rachel Reeson (Co-op Member Pioneer) presented the winners of the Co-op raffle with a hamper of Co-op goodies.

The Crosspool Forum organisers would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the Crosspool Spa & Valleyside Garden Centre for their generous sponsorship of this year’s fayre. Their support has played an instrumental role in making the event a resounding success.

We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to the dedicated team of local volunteers who selflessly gave their time and effort to help set up and run the fayre. Their unwavering commitment and hard work were genuinely remarkable.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the overwhelming response and attendance from the community. We are immensely grateful to each and every individual who came out to share in the festivities and create a vibrant and joyful atmosphere throughout the Crosspool  Festival Week and the Summer Fayre.

We’ve had so much fun with this community event, and many of those who took part have told us they really enjoyed it too. Steve & Ian hope that you will be part of the Summer Fayre next year 2024!