Heathcliff August 2026
Waddington Summer Fair Weekend
Wow, what another brilliant weekend we had. The weather was good and lots of people turned out to the event at the Village Hall Playing Field. Our biggest one yet, it seems to grow each year.
It all started on the Friday, with live music from “The Force”, a three piece rock covers band. The Farrier bar was open, and food was available from Darren at “The Stables Mobile Café and Grill”, a lovely evening to start off the weekend.
Then it all started again on the Saturday at 12pm. During the day we had music from Jasmin Wilson and duo “R Squared”, there were over 30 stalls, over 40 classic cars, three old buses and fire engine, Funfair, miniature railway, Alpacas, food and drink, and new addition this year of Lincoln Scouts Climbing Wall. Something for everyone. With a new layout that seemed to work well.
James Hooton, aka Sam Dingle from Emerdale, returned for a fourth year with his bar “Ta’Hoots”, always happy to talk to people and have photos taken. Along with “The Farrier Bar”, the little sister bar of “The Three Horse Shoes”.
We had hoped to hold a Waddington’s Got Talent competition, but with only a few young people applying, we made the decision to cancel it, and so Jasmin Wilson kindly agreed to step in last minute and fill the time slot. Thank you, Jasmin.
Laura Wade, and her Zumba team did a Zumba flash mob, which was energetic and entertaining.
We had over 30 stalls, some inside the Village Hall and other outside under gazebos, a selection of crafts, games, tombolo’s, cakes, cheese, candles, soaps and more. Some of our returning favourites and some new ones. We hope to see them again at our Christmas Fair in November.
Food on Saturday was supplied by Darren at “The Stables Mobile Café and Grill”, Michelle at “Fleurs Kitchen”, Lincoln Scouts did a BBQ, and St Michaels Church, provided tea/coffee and cakes inside the Village Hall. We also had an ice-cream van, which was very popular.
Lincoln Vintage Vehicle Society, (LVVS) helped organise the classic cars and kindly brought along three vintage buses and a vintage fire engine. Thank you to Cllr Mike Gallagher and Ross from LVVS for all your help.
Thanks to Lincoln Model Engineering Society Miniature railway for bringing along their miniature railway for the third year. Also, thank you to Walking with Alpacas Lincolnshire Rescue, for bringing the alpacas for people to see and walk, a second year for them.
DJ Phil Toye, joined us for the second year, to do the PA system for the day and play music between the acts. Thanks Phil.
It all finished on Saturday evening with music by “General Admission” a local 5 piece band, who returned for the third year. It was great to have them back.
In the past the Council have hired one large marquee for the day, but as we are having more and more events, it was decided to purchase some of our own. So, three smaller marquees have been purchased, which were put up on the Friday morning for the weekend and taken down on Sunday morning. They were easier to take down than put up, but I’m sure with more practice it will get easier and quicker. Thanks to the team of Parish Councillors, staff and Gloria, who helped with this.
The Parish Council started having the Annual Summer Fair four years ago, and over the years it has grown and we keep learning what works and what doesn’t. The feedback we have received has been amazing, thank you. It takes months of preparation and hard work to make it happen, and so it is lovely to see so many residents enjoying themselves.
A big thank you to the Parish Councillors, staff and Gloria Kearns for all your help organising the event and running it on the day. A special thanks to Cllr Martyn Hurst, for all your help, and for being the compere on the day.
Our next event is the Family Fun Day on Saturday 5th September at Redwood Drive Community Centre and then we have the Christmas Fair on Saturday 21st November.
Mrs Andrea Smith
Parish Clerk