After much deliberation the decision has been made by organisers to make last July's 2019 Forde Abbey Summer Charity Fair the last to run.
The popular Fair, which is organised by the owners of Forde Abbey, the Roper and Kennard family, with the help of a volunteer committee, has been running for over 40 years and has raised in excess of £1/2 million for Charity.
This year £26K was raised and shared between two charities; the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute (RABI) and Riding for the Disabled including carriage driving (RDA).
Alice Kennard said: “We are immensely proud of what has been achieved but feel that the Fair has run its course and to stop the Fair while it is at the top of its game is the right decision.
“The family and the committee would like to express their sincere thanks to all the volunteers, the businesses and entertainers that have traded at the fair and the wider community who have supported the event over the years – your support is very much appreciated.
"We have thoroughly enjoyed working with everybody and particularly working with and alongside the charities that we have supported.”
On behalf of the charities, Pam Wills from the RABI said: “We have nothing but praise for the work and support that the Roper and Kennard family and the volunteers have given us over the years. The monies raised from the annual fair have been a vital contribution to the work of the charities involved.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here