SOARING insurance costs took their toll on Haddenham and Aldreth s annual Blossoms and Bygones event, on Sunday, meaning pony rides in the orchard had to be cancelled. Organisers facing a £600 bill for the afternoon decided they could not offer the free r

SOARING insurance costs took their toll on Haddenham and Aldreth's annual Blossoms and Bygones event, on Sunday, meaning pony rides in the orchard had to be cancelled.

Organisers facing a £600 bill for the afternoon decided they could not offer the free rides and they were replaced with a mechanical dragon.

Fears that the whole event, celebrating its 35th year, could be hit by the rising cost of insurance on tractors and trailers taking visitors round the village have been dispelled by organiser Councillor Ken Bowcock.

But the village's annual Fen Ride summer tractor trip in the village has not been organised for the past two years because insurance costs are too high.

Haddenham Parish Council chairman Cllr Bowcock said: "The insurance on the tractors has been talked about and it could come to an end in a year or two.

"But I think for the moment it will carry on. It's a good attraction which brings a lot of people into the village."

The event raised more than £1,000 for Haddenham's Arkenstall Centre and visitors poured into the village to visit a host of attractions.

The 32-piece Waterbeach Brass Band entertained for the second year running on the green at Camping Close, Haddenham, and hard-working members of Haddenham's Bonfire Committee sold out of burgers and hot dogs at their barbecue.

A craft sale at the Robert Arkenstall School, blacksmith at the Haddenham Gallery, a variety of open gardens and a range of activities at Aldreth provided plenty of interest.