Date revealed for next Thakeham Village Day

Saturday, July 6 2019 is the date to put in your diary – and it will take place a little earlier than the annual fixture took place last month on Saturday, September 15.

The family-orientated fun was held at Abingworth football fields and had a mixture of old and new as well as a mushroom theme.

Caroline Instance, deputy chair of Thakeham Parish Council, said: “The reason for the rural/mushroom (fungi) theme is that the land on which the Abingworth development has been built which is now the heart of Thakeham with foootball field, a cricket pitch and pavilion and soon to be unveiled new village hall, used to belong to the mushroom factory.

“Mushrooms have been commercially cultivated in Thakeham since the early 1900s.

“AG Lingfield & Sons, noted mushroom growers acquired land in Thakeham for their Chesswood Nurseries in 1913. In the 60s it was the largest mushroom grower in Europe.

“A much smaller operation has been owned by Monaghan Mushrooms since 2011 – Thakeham Mushroom Ltd.

“This is the only time Thakeham grown mushrooms can be purchased and a recipe book was produced (still on sale at the Village Deli Storrington).”

There were rides, bouncy castles, a dog show, bush crafts, opportunities to try football and cricket, traditional games such as welly throwing and a coconut shy, birds of prey and children showed off their talents and baking skills.

Parham’s chef also gave a mushroom cookery demonstration. In the evening local bands played into the night at Fun Guy Fest.

Funds raised at the event were in aid of Thakeham Primary School, Thakeham Pre-school and the High Bar Lane children’s playground.

If any one has a mushroom story to tell, Thakeham Parish Council would like to hear from you. Visit www.thakehamparish.co.uk