ON July 18, the 61st Huntington fete took place yet again, in the gardens of Huntington Court. It was a glorious warm summer’s day as people thronged the Court from as far as Hereford and Llandrindod. It was opened by Stephen Gilling, organist of the church for 52 years. The town crier of Knighton announced the events.

Friends and relations met up as they enjoyed their purchases, played the traditional games with a new one, ‘Wheel of Fortune’, creating a lot of interest and laughter. They sat in the sun, eating their tea while listening to the soft music of Bandamania.

Thanks to the owners of The Court, William and Fiona Shone and the hard work of the committee and stall holders, a remarkable £3,405 was raised. Werner Guttmann’s book stall raised £460, followed by the jam and produce stall which raised £402. So many more people contributed in their own way, especially the ladies of the village who raised £437 for the homemade teas. The funds will be split between the Church of St Thomas a Becket, the United Reform Church, the village hall and various Kington charities.

At the end of the afternoon, scores of labelled helium balloons were set off, flying high through the sky. One, sent by Mina Bowater, landed in a garden 40 miles away, in Cleobury Mortimer - of an excited dog owner, who had found it, and rung in with the good news.

Chairman Robert Jones said: “Considering there was a lot of competition that day from other events, it was a remarkable result and I’d like to thank everyone who worked so hard to make it yet another wonderful Huntington fete.”