A MEON Valley church made the most of the fading summer sun as wardens brought a country fayre to their grounds for the first time.

The gods smiled on St Peter's Church in Bishop's Waltham on Saturday as more than 1,000 people enjoyed the last fete of the year.

There were more than 40 stalls and displays, with a dog show, pig race, treasure hunt and classic cars on the grounds of the 900-year-old building.

'Trips up the Tower' were very popular, with talks on the bells, a viewing of the famous church clock and 360-degree views of the fayre and surrounding countryside.

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Organised by a team of six over nine months, the fete raised money for local charities and maintenance of the 900-year-old church.

And it all stemmed from Rector James Hunts' brainwave last year to host a fayre in the church grounds.

Entertainment came from the church choirs, handbells, Swanmore's Roynon Dance and maypole dancing on the newly-named Maypole Green.

Organising committee chairman Malcolm Wearn said: "This gentle conversation set off a chain reaction that led to hundreds of hours of planning, hundreds of emails , pulling in favours, finding sponsors and a lot of head-scratching on how to pull off such a venture and harmonising it with Harvest Festival time.

"We achieved a great result which was wholly due to the concerted efforts of an army of unsung stalwarts whose prowess has produced an exceptional day."

As for next year, Mr Wearn said a repeat event was a "definite maybe".

Photos by Habib Rahman