A VILLAGE fete has been given a financial boost by a housebuilding firm which is looking to give back to the community.

A donation of £1,000 has been given to the Clift Meadow Trust which will help the organisation run the annual Bramley Village Fete.

Funds were available to the trust from Persimmon Homes Thames Valley, through its Community Champions scheme, which invites groups and charities to bid for a match-funded donation, with two grants being made every month.

The village fete is due to take place on Saturday, 21 April, from 11am until 4pm.

Sarah Stubbs, spokeswoman for the fete, which is organised jointly by the church and the trustees of Clift Meadow, said: “Persimmon’s grant gives us the freedom to be more creative and hire a wider variety of attractions.

“We already receive positive feedback from residents who support us every year, but we also want to appeal to more of our new residents, such as those now living in St James Park.

“Our aim is to provide entertainment for all ages.

“This year, thanks to the Persimmon grant, we are providing a special children’s tent, with entertainment and snacks.

“Our main attractions this year will be the annual St George’s Day Parade by all the local Scout Groups, the Bramley Mile, a children’s fancy dress parade, with the theme being kings and queens, music played by the Tadley Brass Band, a young children’s funfair, a dog show, classic cars, a barbecue and many other attractions.

“It can seem difficult to maintain the friendly welcome, for which Bramley has always been known, when it continues to expand so rapidly, but the fete provides an ideal opportunity to welcome one and all to join in with this community event.”

Last year, Persimmon Homes, sister company of which, Charles Church, is building in the village on land near St James Park, chose to support the fete with organisers saying the financial boost helped them hire more interesting attractions.

Rachel Faulkner, sales director for Persimmon Homes Thames Valley, added: “We strongly believe in supporting local communities. It is clear that the village fete is a great way to bring people together, and we are delighted to be able to help it for the second year running.

“If people were unsuccessful last month in their Community Champions application, we urge them to visit the Persimmon Homes website and to try again and hopefully they will become our next recipient.”