Quackingly Good Village Fete

So today was the Peckhamsted Village Fair. This annual event is quite the highlight of the local social calendar and Horace and I had been looking forward to it for weeks. Horace had been asked to judge the best cake competition, being quite the connoisseur of cream cakes, profiteroles and other such delicacies.  Being a goose of impeccable character, I was of course asked to judge the best flower arrangement. Quite an honour and responsibility I can tell you!

Well the day began with much excitement and then I got my feathers quite in a flap, as I couldn't decide whether to wear a red or a blue scarf. It totally put me off my breakfast.  I was worried it might show I preferred one or other of the competitors and they are quite a feisty lot! Harriet Hen one year, didn't talk to Maisy Mouse for a whole summer because Maisy had used the same main flower in her arrangement as Harriet! Horace on the otherhand would never let such worries put him off his breakfast and he scoffed down a whole stack of blueberry pancakes. I did worry he would not have room to sample the delicious delights at the Fete.

I need not have worried. On arriving at the village green, I could see all the hard work that had been put into setting up. Tents had been erected all around the central green. They were festooned with colourful flags and bunting, which made such a display of colour that I could not help feeling joy and happiness, despite my nerves. Quick as a falcon diving to grab its prey, Horace darted straight to the "Baking Competition" tent, excited to start his judging duties. Meanwhile, I trailed around the wonderful displays of food and crafts. I was particularly taken with a fudge making display as well as the Sewing Club, who were selling wonderful quilts and bags. I couldn't resist and I am eating some of the best creamy fudge I have ever tasted, as I am typing!

At last the time came for me to make the judgement on the flower arranging, so that  Lady Smythe-Piggly could hand out the prizes. In the end, my nerves were all unnecessary as the winner was easy to choose. Standing on one table was the most magnificent display of roses, petunias and lilies, presented beautifully. It was quite simply breath-taking. So congratulations to Sally Kitty-Kins who was awarded First Prize, this year.

Horace awarded the Best Cake award to Bernie Badgerson, for his magical madeira cake. (Apparently it was such a close thing, that Horace needed to have three slices before he could make a judgement.)

All in all it has been a most wonderful day and I am looking forward to next year when, if I am brave enough, I will enter my own arrangement of sunflowers.