Famous faces at fete

Organisers of Monks Eleigh’s annual fete had a “bumper” year this year in terms of attendance, helped by beautiful weather and the attendance of several famous Suffolk residents.

The fete was jointly opened by Martha Kearney, presenter of BBC Radio 4’s World at One, and actor Timothy Watson who plays Rob Titchener in The Archers and whose cousin lives in the village.

And the fete’s centrepiece - a dog show - was judged by fashion grandees Judy Rumbold, former fashion editor of The Guardian, Heath Brown, former fashion director of The Times and Professor Ian Griffiths, creative director of Italian fashion house MaxMara, all of whom live in Suffolk and are mad about dogs.

Organiser Sally Easton said: “It went exceptionally well. We think we had a bumper year.

“We did welcome people from further afield than usual; more talk about it beforehand encouraged people to come along. Martha and Timothy worked their socks off.”

The fete featured homemade teas, themed children’s competitions and traditional stalls.

Proceeds from the event, which go towards the upkeep of the village’s medieval church, have yet to be confirmed.