WHAT a difference a year makes.
The Chipstead Village Fair and Flower Show returned with a vengeance at the weekend, 12 months after it was washed out for the first time in more than a century.
The 104th event went ahead on Saturday, this time blessed with glorious sunshine. Thousands headed to the High Road show grounds for all the fun of the fair, to sweat it out competing in the Elmore 7 charity run, or to admire entries in the flower and produce competitions.
As ever, growers, bottlers and bakers vied for victory in an almost unending list of classes, from "twenty raspberries with stalks on a plate" to "one potted hosta" and "six new-laid eggs".
Steven Gilburt, a member of the organising committee, said: "It was unbelievable that last year was so wet we had to cancel and this year was so hot we were worried about people getting sunstroke. Those are the vagaries of the English summer.
"It went very well, we had lots of families coming through the gates and they all seemed to enjoy themselves. We had so many visitors we actually sold out of some food and drinks.
"I think what makes our event unique is that we have a high quality flower show, although the growers did find it difficult this year with our cold wet spring.
"We also have a fair that is fairly traditional – we try to not have big companies and keep everything associated with the village – and we have the seven-mile run, so it's three events in one really.
"It really is something for everybody. I am very proud of it, because all the people who run it are volunteers."
It is also the flagship event in the village's social calendar.
"Because we didn't hold it last year, it's been two years since some of us saw friends from the village," added Mr Gilburt. "It is such an important event that brings everyone together."
Profits made at this year's fair will go towards putting on 2014's show.
