Super Sunny Summerfest

Summerfest is one of the Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower’s three major community events and we have always tried to support them either by having stalls at the event. or, more recently, acting as Stewards.  
We were approached again this year and asked if we could support them again, and we were delighted to do so.  “Can you mind the main gate between 1 p.m. and 4.30 p.m.”, they asked, so that was what we did. Patrick, Les, Ben and Robert were on duty for the first session and then Roger, President Nick and Peter Greene took over for the final session.

Stint in the Sun

After the heatwave of the week before, it had cooled down a little and was cloudy in the morning, but by the time we took over at 1 p.m. the sun was out and it became quite hot again, especially in the sun.  Even so it was very pleasant and the crowds who poured trough the gate were obviously enjoying themselves as they wandered round the grounds, looking at the stalls, trying the food and some even frequented the Beer Tent.
Our job was not to impede entry, which was free, but to ask each visitor if they would like to make a donation.  “Entry is free but please make a donation” was the cry.  People could either pay cash, or use the SumUp card machines to pay by card.  Robert Godfrey was on SumUp duty in the first session, and Peter took over for the final session.  

It’s amazing how matters have chnaged over the last few years because a good majority of donations were made via the SumUp card machine!  Many did donate, and quite a few gave more - if we ignore those who sidled past without making any donation, then actual card donations ranged from £2 to £15.  Most people seemed to give £5 or £5 per person.  People would also often say, “I’ll donate on the way out” but this is Billericay, so they actually did!

What was on Offer?

No arena again this year, but entertainment on the stage with a series of bands such as The Law, One Track Mind, Soul Sonic, and ending with G-Force.

Rotary was in evidence, with stalls by the Rotary Clubs of Havering East, Billericay Town and our Rotary District was there with a People of Action stall.

Of course, there were the usual “Kiddies Attractions” with entertainment installations like the bouncy castles and slides, and then a coule of roundabouts as well as the bungee jumps (much frequented by the children).
And that’s not to mention all the food outlets, businesses and shows selling to the public.

Further down the field was the classic car display, with 40-50 entries, as well as traction engines and a Fire Engine.

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

Shift Two

All was going well, with crowds continuing to arrive until about 4.15 pm when numbers began to drop off and by 4.30 there didn’t seem to be any new arrivals.  After all, the event ended at 5 p.m.

So time to take the remaining programs and the SumUp card reader back to the control tent.  We don’t know how much cash was raised but the SumUp readers raised nearly £6,000.

Well done Mayflower for another very successful event.