Summerfest Celebration

Summerfest is one of the Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower’s premier community events and we have always tried to support them either by having stalls at the event. or, acting as Stewards.  After last year’s event had to be cancelled due to storms on the day, we were eager to help out again in 2025, especially as June was the hottest on record for many years.

Stint in the Sun

So we signed up to man the main gate for the whole afternoon and looked forward to a useful and enjoyable “Stint in the sun”.  But the weather forecast changed, and yet again, rain and thunderstorms were forecast!

So it was with trepidation that Patrick, Roger, Ben and Peter all turned up for duty on July 6 (Patrick had arrived early because his Bentley was on display as part of the car show).  Fortunately the weather was kind, the sun shone and the rain mainly kept away so there was a continuous stream of arrivals.

Entry was free but there was a voluntary donation (of a recommended £3 per person) if arrivals wished.  People could either pay cash, or use the SumUp card machines to pay by card.  Easy to operate except for one incident when we nearly charged somebody over £80,000!!

Many did donate, and quite a few gave more - one person stopped on the way out to donate an extra £10!  But as usual, there were the usual number of people who managed to walk past us without catching our eyes and entered free.

Somebody who did pay was local MP Richard Howden who had come along to support the event.

The Usual Suspects

No arena again this year, but entertainment on the stage with a series of bands such as One Track Mind, Re Public, Razzamatazz etc, ending with a (very loud) rock band!  One Track Mind certainly had the audience and stall holders dancing along to their music! (see photo page 10).

Rotary was much in evidence, with stalls by the Rotary Clubs of Basildon, Havering East, Billericay Town and our Rotary District was there with Youth Services and People of Action stalls.

Of course, there were the usual entertainment installations like the bouncy castles and slides and the bungee jumps (much frequented by the children).

And that’s not to mention all the food outlets, businesses and stalls selling to the public.

People kept coming in and there were plenty of attendees milling around on the field, so it seemd a great success, and Mayflower seemed well pleased with the results of their efforts.

Shift Two

All was going so well, with only the occasional few spots of rain until about 2.45 when the weather took a definite turn for the worse, and the rain came down heavily.  Many of the crowd soldiered on under umbrellas and, of course, the bands could continue to play on stage, but the number of arrivals “dried up” (excuse the phrase!).  

Fortunately for Patrick, Roger, Ben and Peter their duty was over and they were able to wend their wet way home after being replaced by President Stephen, President Elect Nick and Les for the second shift.

Stephen, Nick and Les definitely drew the short straw with that time slot, and all were soaked to the skin despite sheltering under the trees as much as they could.  Despite the discomfiture, Mayflower had a very successful event.

And we received a £250 donation for our contribution.