COMPTON Bassett has gone back to its roots with a village fete which commemorated the years 1900 to 1925.

Villagers were taken back in time to the periods before, during and after the First World War.

Visitors were able to immerse themselves in the period of Suffragettes and the First World War, as they listened to music from the early 1900s and enjoyed an exhibition of the village life from the past, and a collection of books published more than 100 years ago.

Two of Compton Bassett’s oldest villagers, Ethel Goodenough and Alan Lewis, with a combined age of over 190, opened the fete.

Mrs Goodenough, who was born in 1924, said it was the best fete she had visited in recent years, and it was like returning to the kind of village events she remembers from the past.

She said: “It was lovely to open the fete and to see the old horse drawn haycart outside our village hall once again, and view the events which were part of the village that I remember from the past.”

Visitors were asked to change their modern coinage for currency from the early 1900s to buy locally produced cakes, jams, chutneys, and other things on sale replicating goods from the period and could take part in a produce show.

Proceeds went towards the Royal British Legion and the village hall appeal.

Fete organiser Emelien Waite said: “We are delighted that so many people visited our village and could immerse themselves in a bygone era.

“This was a celebration of those who gave so much before, during, and after the Great War.

“It was a real team effort to organise the event, only made possible by a group of dedicated helpers.

“So many people contributed from throughout the village with everything from cakes to bunting.”

A large amount of research went into making sure there was an authentic approach to creating the village fete, with an archive of old photographs forming the centrepiece of the heritage display.

A village tug-of-war event pictured from the 1920s was also recreated by the villagers, with vicar Matthew Earwicker on hand to ensure fair play.