For the 5th year in a row, Stapleford was home to the ‘Village Weekend’ built on the success of the initial one in 2012 for the Queen’s Jubilee. The weather was kind to us once again.

This year we started our weekend a little earlier, on Thursday. SSYI took over the marquee for a movie night and in keeping with the Harry Potter theme aired ‘Fantastic Beasts and where to find them’. This new addition to weekend was a success; watch this space for a possible return for a future weekend.

Friday night was quiz night, this year hosted by The Dawes on behalf of The Tennis Club. The legendary Mr & Mrs Dawe quizzes are a well loved Stapleford PTA night, an enjoyable night in the marquee setting and there certainly was a buzz that evening. It was a good night for the fizz sales I hear too!

Back by popular demand, the choir from Stapleford Community Primary School opened the Village Show. It’s always great to see a variety of stallholders, a good turn out this year. The ever popular Village café served cakes until they ran out. In addition this year we had a food van for a savoury twist.  New this year for the children, we had go karts and an impressive climbing wall, including a ‘Mad Science’ roadshow who brought fun and hands on Scientific entertainment. 

Saturday night it was over to Akmed’s Camel Ceilidh band. Who stated that it was the best BBQ they’d eaten in a long while and they eat a lot of BBQ’s! We were blessed with a warm evening to perfect, well nearly, our dosey doe and promenade.

Sunday morning saw the return of a family service provided by St Andrew’s. Tour de Stapleford, now in it’s 4th year, saw a good turn out over all distances. All welcomed the pre-Tour bike inspection and the post-Tour bacon butty.

Later that afternoon, cricket took over the rec. The juniors started followed by a rather long or as Jon West corrected me, a ‘thrilling’ match, ending at gone 8pm! Cricket tea was most welcome that late afternoon.

Stapleford PTA hosted another successful Open Gardens in the village and visitors were able to enjoy refreshment with live music in the vicarage garden.

Sunday evening was handed over to the WI for the last time (or so they say) for a ‘Relaxed evening of food and music’. This event was the perfect way to round off a hectic but successful weekend of wonderful community spirit.

This leads me to thank for 2nd year in a row the Village Weekend committee (and all the sub-committees) who have been truly amazing and made chairing the meetings a pleasure. All your hard work before, during and afterwards is what made the weekend happen beautifully. My personal thanks have been passed on. Without a hard working team, a community event is nothing!

Stapleford Cambridge Village Show cup winners 2017 

The Stapleford Village Show was held on Saturday 24th June in the marquee on the Recreation Ground as part of the Village Weekend – many thanks to the Parish Council for providing the facility again this year. We enjoyed perfect weather, and as well as the Show itself, there was a record number of stalls and amusements for all the family. This year’s cups were awarded as follows: 


Tucker Gardner Challenge Cup (Fruit & Vegetables) Pat Hughes

Challenge Cup (Flowers) Martyn Northfield

Roy Burman Shield (Sweet peas) Sue Pitman

Rosalie Bowl (Roses) Ann Deane

Flower Show Centenary Cup (Pot plants) Julie Rayment

St Andrews Millennium Trophy (Flower arranging) Denise Craney/Valerie Ayres

Home Produce Cup Sue Rose

Cambridge Building Society Cup (Crafts) Andrea Lamble

Mary Ward Cup (Children - Baking) Jonah Bonner

Jessie Salter Cup (Children – Art) Thomas Linzell

Joan Riley Messenger Cup (Children – Photography) Olivia Bendelack

Marion’s Cup (Children – Flowers) Amelie Mack

The Stapleford Children’s Challenge Cup (Most points overall) Jonah Bonner

Rickett Cup (Front Gardens) 36 Aylesford Way

(Mr & Mrs Ostler)

Joan Sudbury Allotment Cup Plot 3 (Dr M Trower)

Stapleford Show Photography Shield (Best photo in Show) Keith Taylor

The Stapleford Cup (Personal Choice) Margaret Gilmore

Challenge Cup (Most points in all classes) Sue Rose 

Photos of the village events by Vicky Linzell and Beckie Whitehouse.