WHEN a popular landlord retired in 2015, the local community feared their annual fete may become a distant memory.

But this weekend, the residents of Ferndale proved that where there is a will, there is a way as they brought the much-loved event back.

Bob Downing left the Southbrook Inn just weeks before the fete would normally have been held leaving his successor, 30-year-old David Kearns, with no time to make all the necessary arrangements.

It meant that last year the event, which had become a fixture of the local calendar, didn’t happen.

David said: “There just wasn’t enough time. But this year we all had a chat and decided to rekindle it.

“It’s a real community event, we’ve had help from local businesses, the scouts have put up the tents and residents are manning the stalls.

“As a landlord it makes all the difference when the community comes together like this – it’s great to see.”

The local residents’ association was also firmly involved in both the preparation and the execution of the day.

Chairman, Phil Harwood, said: “It was under wraps for a while because it was four or five months in the planning – so it’s only really in the last month or so we’ve been able to talk about it.

“Everyone was really pleased, it was always a good event so they were all keen to come along.

“We’ve also raised more for charity before the event this time than we used to in the past – we’ve had some good sponsorship from local businesses which we really appreciate.”

Visitors were entertained by live band Uptown Junction who played on in heroic style despite the heavens opening half way through their set.

All the classic fete activities were on offer with a tombola, a coconut shy, a barbecue, children’s games and other fun stalls.

Mayor of Swindon Eric Shaw dropped in to officially open the event and other local councillors also came along to enjoy the attractions on offer.

Councillor Bob Wright said: “There has been a fine tradition in this area of the local community coming together around the pub – for the new landlord to continue that is a credit to him.

“Things are different, but not that different. We still have a community that has come together, we’ve still got people spending money in support of charities - It gives a lovely village feel to the place.”