- 2022 Event Information -
Published 25th February 2022
There has been a village fete and dog show at the Much Hadham Recreation Ground on the August bank holiday for many years (bar the last couple of years where it has not been possible for COVID 19 reasons). In good weather years, the fete was very successful and attracted thousands of visitors.
Whilst being a local event, it attracts large numbers of visitors from outside the village and the majority of these arrive by car. This means our ability to park and safely manage large numbers of vehicles using ground with good access and multiple exit routes is a key requirement to running the event, without it we simply cannot accommodate the number of visitors needed to sustain an event of this size.
We are extremely grateful to all those landowners who have helped make the event possible over the years, however, at this stage we no longer have permission from the relevant neighbouring landowners to use their land for access/exit and parking for the fete. We have considered many alternatives but we do not believe any of them are feasible for an event of this size and nature. So, with regret, we have decided we cannot hold a village fete this year.
We are, however, intending to hold other smaller events over the year, including another outdoor cinema event following the very successful showing of Mamma Mia last year. Further details about the event will be published soon.
In the meantime, following our 2021 request for grant applications from local groups and societies, we awarded Much Hadham Bowls Club the requested sum of £250 towards maintenance of the bowling green.
In addition we have agreed to fund the service and maintenance of the defibrillator located at Much Hadham Fire Station for the next FOUR years, ensuring this important community asset is kept in tip top condition should it be needed in an emergency.
We hope you will continue to support these events, which raise funds for local clubs and societies.
Best wishes, The Fete Committee
- 2020 EVENT CANCELLED -
Published 16th June 2020
We are very sad to announce that due to the impact of Covid-19, this year’s Much Hadham Fete and Dog Show will not take place.
Since our last update in May we have continued to monitor the situation, hopeful things would ease. However as it stands there is still no government or local authority guidance which reaches as far as the end of August. It feels very unlikely such large public gatherings will be permitted by then anyway and, even if they were, considering the lead-times with all the various parties involved with the fete, and the continuing social distancing and other healthcare guidance and restrictions, unfortunately it is not possible to organise such an event confidently.
The next Much Hadham Fete and Dog show will therefore now be held on 30th August 2021 and it goes without saying our aim is to create something special.
In the meantime, Trustees of the Much Hadham Recreation Trust have been working with numerous local groups and organisations to assist in the provision of resources and where applicable to provide guidance on applying for government and local authority grants and assistance packages.
The Trust has worked closely with CAREbank, to create resources to help with social connection during physical distancing, and the creation of a new website which has quickly become a focal point for many, providing up to date information, advice and links to local and national resources. www.carebank.uk
We are also standing ready to assist where we can in the organisation of an alternative village-centric event later in the year should such events be permitted.
In the meantime, we wish everyone the best in the strange and uncertain times and know that this will end and good times lie ahead.
Best wishes, The Fete Committee
- 2019 Grants Awarded -
Published 19th November 2019
The Trustees met in November to consider grant applications for 2019/20. With the profits from this year’s Fete and many private donations, we were able to make grants of just over £15,600. Full details can be found on the Grant Awards Page of this website or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
On behalf of the community organisations, for many of whom these grants are important for their continued success, we would like to thank all those who contributed so much to the Fete this year and to those who made very generous donations, which enabled these grants to be made.
The Fete is entirely run by volunteers. Many people volunteer their time on Fete day itself and with set up and dismantling, for which we are very grateful. However, we still need more people to join the Fete Organising Committee to help spread the roles and responsibilities for all of the advance planning and organisation. Something of this scale does not just happen by itself! Please do contact us if you would like to help.
- Emergency Grant Allocation - Staying Connected Initiative -
Published 5th April 2020
On the 24th March 2020 the Trustees agreed unanimously to allocate an emergency grant of £300 to CareBank, for the printing of literature to be distributed to those in the Parish who need help and assistance during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown. The first batch of literature contained a timetable of virtual events and activities along with activity sheets containing knitting patterns, recipes, quizzes and things to do, and a vital list of assistance contact numbers. The social diary of virtual events and activity packs were delivered to over 400 households across the Parish!
The Trustees applaud the work being carried out to assist those in need of help.
Claire Uwins of CareBank commented:
"• Several of our self-isolating residents have been enjoyed our daily morning service with Rev. Steve via Zoom.
• A virtual cuppa via Zoom one afternoon and a virtual cookery demo of fresh tomato soup using our local Green Tye tomato farm product both went down a storm! It has got us thinking of doing a tomato run for those self isolating residents who love tomatoes.
• The number of self isolating residents joining the virtual activities has gradually increased as the week has progressed and Week 2 of the diary promises to be even more exciting with new activities such as barre ballet and chair yoga on offer.
• Self-isolating residents have been knitting baby hats, making lemon puddings and doing quizzes and brain teasers from our week 1 activity pack."
- Grant Applications for 2019 Now Open -
Published 10th September 2019
Any organisation within the Parish wishing to apply for a grant should send in their applications to arrive by 25th October, so that the Trustees can allocate funds at their meeting in early November. Applications must be made on the Grant Applications Form only, available to download from the website. Full details can be found on the Grant Applications Page of this website or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.