High Sheriff to host charity fete and bake-off

Wiltshire's High Sheriff will hold a baking fundraiser event at his home.

Sir Charles Hobhouse will raise awareness for Swindon mental health charities by hosting a fundraising fete at his home on Saturday July 17.

The fete, at Monkton Farleigh Manor, near Bradford on Avon, begins at 2pm and is free to enter. It will feature traditional attractions including welly wanging, water balloon throwing, plate smashing, the 'Great Wiltshire Bake-Off' and stalls selling cakes, plants and bottles as well as refreshments.

Sir Charles said: “The fete is a long-running event but this year I wanted to open it up to some of the charities I have visited and been introduced to by the community foundation and bring them to the fore. During my shrieval year my theme is mental health and all of the charities coming along represent some of the great work going in the county in that sphere.

“The partnership the role of High Sheriff has with Wiltshire Community Foundation is so important because besides the fund making grants, it gives every High Sheriff the opportunity to find more of the charities that fit their theme than they ever would without them because they have a networking ability and a knowledge of all small, deserving charities across the whole county of Wiltshire.”

STEP Swindon and Youth Adventure Trust will be among ten grass roots charities running stalls at the annual event at Monkton Farleigh Manor, near Bradford on Avon, which he is devoting to different causes across the county this year.

STEP, based at The Nythe Centre, works with young people of all ages on the margins of education in Swindon to help with family issues, behaviour and relationships through STEP’s programmes. Its workers aim to help them learn to express themselves, develop coping strategies and understand others’ point of view.

Youth Adventure Trust provides the opportunity and encouragement for young people in Swindon and Wiltshire on the margins of education and training to take part in residential activity weeks. The aim is to build their self-esteem and encourage them to make positive changes in their lives.

The Wiltshire Community Foundation has had a partnership with each year’s High Sheriff since 1988, through its High Sheriff's fund, which has awarded grants totalling more than £150,000 to groups across the county who support young people who struggle on the margins of society and are looking for a new direction.

The fete's 'Great Wiltshire Bake-Off' will see locals including Lord Lieutenant Sarah Troughton, former chief constable Dame Elizabeth Neville and Winter Olympic silver medallist Shelley Rudman, decorating creations they have made in advance.

Other stalls at the fete will be run by Seeds4Success from Mere, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, Friends of Erlestoke Prison, GUL Outdoor Therapy from Shrewton near Salisbury, Larkrise Community Farm and The Amber Foundation from Trowbridge and Springboard Opportunity Centre in Chippenham.

Wiltshire Community Foundation is running a raffle with prizes from Brinkworth Dairy, Wadworth Brewery, Wadswick Country Store, a garden bench from Loose Ends worth £700 and a pet portrait. Funds raised at the event are promised to be shared equally with the community groups taking part.

The Salvation Army band will play for the attendees, Trowbridge Fire Station crews will be there with one of their fire engines and St John Ambulance will be on standby as well as promoting its work. There is free parking at the event.

Wiltshire Community Foundation joint chief executive Fiona Oliver said: “We are really looking forward to what should be a wonderful day and we are very thankful to the High Sheriff for opening his garden to all of these brilliant charities to allow them to showcase their work as well as raise some money.

“It’s an outdoor event held within Covid guidelines and the weather forecast is good so it will be a welcome chance to enjoy the fresh air and the beautiful grounds of Monkton Farleigh Manor after what everyone has been through in the past 17 months.”

To find out more about the community foundation’s work visit wiltshirecf.org.uk.