Village Day 2015 - Join in!

By Sarah Richmond
What links a Caribbean steel band, a tug of war and a beer tent serving Sussex specials? Yes, it’s time for Lindfield Village Day 2015. A fun day out for all the family, the event takes place on Lindfield Common on Saturday 30th May, starting at 12.45pm with the procession down the High Street and finishing with the Grand Raffle Draw between 4pm and 4.30pm.
     Set to raise at least £7,000 for the charity which runs and maintains the King Edward Hall, the Day will play host to over 100 stalls on the Common selling everything from crafts to cuddly toys, books to barbecue food - plus a range of activities including the famed minirailway, the fun fair and lots of activities for the young and young at heart. 
     This year the arena will be home to lots of traditional games, including sack and egg and spoon races hosted by volunteers from Potential Personal Training. People who’d prefer to put their pets on show can do just that - no pre-entry required, just come to the King Edward Hall tent on Village Day and enter your pet so he or she can take centre stage on the arena in the middle of the Common.
     For those with a bit of muscle, or simply sheer grit, there’s the Tug of War competition in the afternoon, again in the arena, where Lindfield teams will battle it out to become 2015 Lindfield Tug of War Champions.
     Bakers and gardeners should note that the Grand Competition is being rested this year but there’ll be plants and cakes aplenty on sale from the experts at Lindfield Horticultural Society and the Village Hall’s own renowned cake stall respectively.
     A beer and music tent makes its debut, with ales and cider from local brewer 360 Degree Brewing and a range of bands to make the the afternoon go with a swing.
     Earlier in the day the traditional procession through the High Street this year is set to be anything but! A steel band will lead the parade, which has a Caribbean theme to reflect the musical atmosphere following the success of last year’s carnival procession. Throw on some Caribbean fancy dress or come as you are - individuals, families and local groups are all invited to join the procession which will gather at Hickmans Lane Playing Fields at 12.15 for judging at 12.30 and departure for the Common at 12.45.
     Look out for the Village Day programme, on sale in the village shortly, with all the details of the Day’s events. At just £1, with all proceeds going to the King Edward Hall, it’s money well spent and will guide you through a fantastic day out. Entry to Village Day is free, so invite your family, bring your friends and come and enjoy your village. If you can spare an hour to sell 20 programmes to neighbours along your street, please get in touch – every little helps: villageday@kingedwardhall.org.uk
     For more information about the event and about the 5k/10k Village Run, which takes place on Monday 25th May, see www.kingedwardhall.org.uk.

Also available on page 20.