It wasn't just the burgers and sausages on the BBQ that were sizzling at this year's St Paul's Summer Fete, which took place on Saturday 11th July throughout the Community Centre and Garden.  The summer heatwave produced temperatures of over 30C and a glorious day, perfect for chilled squash, ice cream and, for the adults, a cooling beer courtesy of our friends at Sambrook's Brewery in Wandsworth. The entry fee of £5.00 for adults and £3.00 for children included all games sand activities, arts & crafts, as well as tea, cakes, squash and ice cream all day.

Children delighted in the wide range of fun games including 'hook a duck', 'play your cards right', 'granny pants', hoopla, table football, inflatable bowls and aeroplane making.  There were popular arts & crafts on offer in the main hall ranging from painting to badge making to scratch art, and every youngster wanted their own water-based tattoo to celebrate the day.

The bouncy castle in the Vestry Garden drew a steady flow of energetic young acrobats.  Thanks go to Margaret Brown for sponsoring the bouncy fun.

Thanks also go to Mike Lowe, Churchwarden, and Helen Lowe for toiling cheerily under a hot sun on the BBQ to serve up delicious burgers/veggie burgers and sausages in a bun.  Delightful when washed down with a glass of Sambrook's Pumphouse Ale or Pagoda Pils, or a refreshing glass of Pimms in the garden expertly mixed by Anne Minors.

It was wonderful to see friends old and new from around the the parish, and to share in enjoying this most perfect of English summer days. There was a raffle with themed hamper prizes for the lucky winners to take away.  Altogether we raised £690 towards to go towards the funds needed for the scrub and seal of the main hall floor.  The target is £4,000 to get this work done, but we are now on our way.

Special mention for our friends from London Ambulance Service who were present all day giving demonstrations of our new community defibrillator located prominently on the front wall of the Community Centre.  This is a community resource available in emergency to anyone who needs it.  It was great to benefit from instruction in its use from the trained paramedics, and many attendees as well as some passers by took the opportunity to familiarise themselves with this vital emergency medical equipment.

Our thanks to all the volunteers who made the event such a success, whether it was baking a lovely cake, supervising an activity, or welcoming our visitors.  Huge thanks especially to Sam Egan, Community Centre Manager at St Paul's, for bringing everything together with much hard work to ensure a successful Summer Fete and a wonderful day for all who came along.