On Saturday 8th July 2017, a good crowd flocked to the Summer Festival held on the Green outside St John the Baptist Church in Barnet. The weather could not have been better and the Festival was very well organised indeed. Proceeds from the stalls and other attractions are to be divided between the church and Cherry Lodge Cancer Care. The Festival was generously sponsored by Ye Olde Mitre Inne, with Santander and Statons as co-sponsors.
There was certainly plenty of variety offered to amuse young and old. As usual, there was also a good attendance by the local canine community and for them the tempting smells from the Hog Roast must have been truly overwhelming. The Punch and Judy show proved as popular as ever with the children but many adults must sometimes wonder if political correctness has to be put on hold throughout the performance. The bouncy castle did a (literally) roaring trade and the two face painters were in great demand. Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, was among those attending. Refreshments (including ‘Holy Ale’ from the Mitre) were available inside the church and, outdoors, the Pimms and Prosecco stall was a very nice touch.
For the writer of this website post the height of excitement was the innovative Teddy Zip Wire. This involved a Cherry Lodge Teddy flying on an invisible wire from the top of the church tower to just next to the bouncy castle, where, among others, the Vicar himself made sure that the bear was not damaged. In between flights, Teddy (and friends, including a monkey) were hoisted back to the top of the tower in a basket. A member of Cherry Lodge was involved in organising the Teddy adventure and he is to be congratulated. A young supporter was so taken by Teddy that she was allowed to buy him at the end of his adventure (see last photo, below).
The Cherry Lodge stall did a good trade in books, sunglasses, and a large variety of hats and caps. Tina was helped on the stall during the afternoon by Amy (see featured photo, right) from Santander (which will be match funding the Cherry Lodge stall takings) and two volunteers.
This was a most enjoyable, pleasant and successful afternoon, for which Cherry Lodge gives many thanks to the organisers and all concerned..
Click on the small images below to see larger, complete photographs.
