There is a feeling of spring in the air at Henfield Common Fair and Show HQ – momentum is building with the brilliant sponsorship pledges that have been coming in from our local businesses!
Through the early weeks of misty February, the Fair organising team were over the moon with the responses from local business people, both with direct sponsorship, and with offers of items ‘in kind’. Without further ado, we wish to put out a big Henfield THANKYOU to the following businesses first past the post for sponsorship in February: Marcus Grimes Estate Agents, House of Hud and Arabian Tents, Lomer and Sons Removals, Bank House Electric Gates, Coles Automotive, HJ Burt Estate Agents, A & B Matters, Rushfields, Hamfelds, Southdown Engineering, TS Professional Sound and Light, Mackley Engineering, Oscar Bears and Zumba Gold. Thank you all very much, your contribution has put community at the heart of this event, Henfield Common Fair and Show 2025 will be for the people by the people!
We do still have a way to go to raise enough funds to ensure that the Common Fair will become established once again, bringing people together to have fun and feel proud of their village, on beautiful Henfield Common. In the coming weeks it will be fantastic to see more businesses coming forward to sponsor any amount that feels suitable – sponsorships can be allocated to key things or simply donated towards overall costs.
We’re bringing you some fresh new ideas as well as firm favourites to sponsor at the Fair and Show: welcome to new Wellbeing and Countryside areas, dedicated Children’s Area, the famous Hawthorn Vets Dog Show, live music, comedy, dance and animal displays in the Main Arena, brass and jazz bands, Show, Tea and Beer Tents – so much to choose from. Remember also that advertising your business or service in our Fair Programme will also go a long way to raising funds – full, half and quarter page adverts are all available. All sponsors will be named in the Fair Programme, posted on our website, and announced by our Compere during the day, banners and flags can be displayed around the fair site. Email henfieldcommonsummerfair@outlook.com or call 07786 390448 to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities.
Making it all happen on the ground are some very important village groups; founded in 1957, the Baden Powell Guild of Henfield has put in decades of service to the community, and we could not have progressed without their endorsement and support - thank you Eric Holder and all the Guildsmen! The B-P Guild provide the majority of the marquees, put them up two days before Fair day, take them all down, and run the BBQ and Beer Tent. They will be serving vegetarian kebabs, burgers meat and veggie, chips, rolls and salads, and of course delicious ale served from barrels. Anyone interested in getting involved, please do get in touch offering hands on help for what will be a very busy time for the BP Guild!
The next major team of people to thank are the Henfield Wild Violets and Ladybirds, who will be serving up the best teas this side of the Southeast – in a beautiful marquee sponsored for the day by House of Hud. Again, for Tea Tent help, please get in touch, there will be plenty to do. There will not only be tea and beautiful cakes, but quiches, and other savoury bites – and we’ve heard tell of a giant Pork Pie competition!
Making a comeback is the majestic Show Tent – where our cooking, floristry, art, crafts and plants will make a fantastic and vibrant exhibition for all our creativity. A big thankyou to Tom Blair-Fish for bringing it from the wilds of Redhill, and a big thank you to Josh Potts for storing it for us until September.
Please have a browse of the Show Tent Booklet which you’ll find on the BN5 Website HERE or pick up your paper copy from Henfield Library – thank you Sallyanne!
To sign off, the Fair team are also absolutely delighted to announce that Horsham District Council have awarded us a Community Grant, to underpin all the practical costs such as insurances, WC hire, first aid, and marquee equipment. The grants officer gave us brilliant help with getting the Fair team properly constituted and eligible for the grant – a big thank you to Sophia Wilks at Horsham – this kind of support for local projects is like gold dust, and one we must strive to protect for the future. This will be the only Grant like this the Common Fair will receive, as the requirement is on us to make the event self-sufficient for the future.
We were also approved for Horsham Community Lottery, so to play for only a £1 a draw, go to our link, and raise funds for the Fair!
Thankyou from Andrea, Sarah, Eric, Michael, Sue, Ann and Sarah, we look forward to bringing a fantastic Fair for the whole village to enjoy.
Andrea May and Sarah Witten