Stretham is gearing up for the return of the annual feast weekend, which starts on Friday with a family picnic and barbecue on the village recreation ground.

Ely Standard: Last year's Stretham Feast Weekend, with members of the Littleport and Ely Riot Morris.Last year's Stretham Feast Weekend, with members of the Littleport and Ely Riot Morris. (Image: Archant)

On Saturday, there will be a farmers’ market around the village cross starting at 9am and an art and craft market takes place in St James’ Church at 10am, along with some demonstrations of Morris dancing.

Feast day begins on Sunday with an outdoor church service at 12.30pm followed by a parade at 1pm and fayre on the recreation ground at 2pm.

Stalls and attractions at the fayre will include bubble football, fun fair, hog roast, dog heel work to music, Pickled Pig cider bar, tug of war competition, fun dog show, crockery smash, performances by the Ely Military Band, the Arco Iris Samba band and the Ely Silver Starlets Majorettes.

New to the feast this year will be a village show which will be taking place during the fayre in the pavilion. Categories for the show include sandwich cake with filling, jar of preserves and cupcake decoration.

Stretham’s Feast celebrations started in 1877 in order to raise funds for Addenbrooke’s Hospital, in Cambridge, which, in those days, was dependant on voluntary contributions.

This year money being raised during the parade is going to be donated to EACH –East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices.

Janet Parish, chairman of the feast committee, said: “We are pleased to have so much support from the community for the feast and try to provide something for everybody. As always we encourage those who have moved away or who have family in the village to come home for the feast.”

The feast is organised and run by a sub-committee of Stretham Parish Council. For more information about the feast go to the parish council web page www. strethampc.org.uk or visit our Stretham Feast Facebook page.