Soham Pumpkin Fair started quietly with booking in entries for various competitions, pumpkins, sunflowers, and other produce outdoors, arts and crafts indoors. “But we were so relieved it wasn’t raining after the weather of the previous few days,” said secretary Jenny Fletcher.
“Entries were down in some groups but up in others; and the judges reported that the standard was high and found it difficult to choose a winner in some of the indoor competition categories.”
As this was the fair’s 50th birthday, two previous chairs of the committee were invited – Maudie Manning (a founder member) and Mark Williams (the original Mr Pumpkin!) – to open the fair this year.
This was followed by a fancy dress competition and then arena displays by local groups including: a school choirs’ collaboration, Slack Ma Girdle Border Morris, Boss Elite, and Sawston Youth Group Band.
Ferret racing returned this year too, which is always popular with the crowds.
“We were also delighted to have David Palmer back again this year, running our grand auction,” said Jenny.
Lots included: A personal tour of Peterborough Cathedral and tea with Rev Canon Tim Alban Jones; A Go Ape Junior Treetop Adventure Plus for Two; £100 worth of ‘Love to Shop’ vouchers and various activity hampers for families including one with a spooky pumpkin Halloween theme!
The auction raised just over £400.
Other attractions included: Soham Heritage & Tourism’s 50-year Timeline of Pumpkin Fairs, Vintage Vehicles, a Funfair, Anita’s Scrapbooks, a Pumpkin Stall, and various Refreshment Stands.
The local Fire & Rescue Station also held their Open Day alongside the event.
Prize giving rounded off the afternoon:
1: Heaviest pumpkin in show was grown by Andrew Fletcher weighing in at 153kg,
2: Heaviest pumpkin grown by Soham child was by Frederick Murfitt at 33.55kg
3: Tallest sunflower was grown by Axel Willett at 3.50m.
All other results can be found on the website: http://www.sohampumpkinfair.co.uk/
This year’s beneficiaries are St Andrew’s Church Restoration Appeal, Soham North Chapel Charitable Trust, Soham Youth Takeover and Elysian Riding for the Disabled.
The committee will hold their traditional cheque presentation evening in the next few weeks.
Any organisation wishing to be considered as a beneficiary for the 2025 Fair should apply in writing, by 31st January 2025, to the committee, stating the aims of their organisation and how they would use any funds awarded.
Send your application to office@sohampumpkinfair.co.uk
Pumpkin Fair chair Michelle Harrison said: “Firstly, I would like to thank the community of Soham for coming out and helping us celebrate our 50th birthday.
“I would also like to thank everyone that was involved in making the fair a success, all the stalls, pitches, performers, the fair, judges, and volunteers and also Mark and Maudie for helping me open the fair. We couldn’t run a fair without your involvement.
SOHAM MENS SHED Lesley won the raffle at the Pumpkin Fair for the refurbished bench. Delivered on Monday by chairman Howard Laver
“Lastly I would like to thank my amazing committee who help me plan for 11 months of the year to bring the Soham Pumpkin Fair to the town of Soham and raise important funds for local groups and charities.”
FACT FILE
The Soham Pumpkin Fair committee are a team who are responsible for the organisation and execution of everything that is required to ensure that each year’s pumpkin fair runs successfully and that all resources that are required are obtained and managed, all expenditure is accounted for and all funds distributed to the chosen charities.
Work commences on the planning of each fair soon after Christmas, and committee meetings are held on the first Monday of each month at the Carpenters Arms Public House in Brook Street Soham at 8pm to co-ordinate work and assign tasks as they arise.
Every year we meet each Monday in September on the run-up to the fair to ensure that every detail is attended to.
If you feel that you would like to join the team, and you are able to commit to the effort required not only throughout the year, but on the day of the fair as well, when we have a huge variety of work which the committee performs then you are probably the person that we need.
Please identify yourself to any current committee member or email the Pumpkin Fair Office at office@sohampumpkinfair.co.uk.
We’ll be pleased to hear from you.
