Organisers of Swanage Fish and Food festival in Dorset weathered the storm of the British summer to raise an amazing £4,000 for local charities.
Their original festival in mid June 2024 at Prince Albert Gardens in Swanage had to be cancelled at short notice as heavy rain and high winds would have made the event impossible to stage on the sloping gardens.
Adam Clarke, chair of the festival, thanked volunteers for their unwavering support
Thank you party thrown for volunteers
A rescheduled event over the 2024 August Bank Holiday weekend on Sandpit Field looked to have been just as unlucky with the weather, but this time went ahead despite challenging conditions.
And faith in the people of Swanage was justified as large crowds braved stormy conditions and contributed to a handsome sum which will help support good causes.
At a volunteer thank you party on Sunday 22nd September 2024, donations were awarded to five local charities – and organisers confirmed that the festival will return on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd June 2025 at Sandpit Field, when hopefully the weather will be kinder.
The party was hosted by sponsor Cumulus Outdoors at its event room and was attended by volunteers representing everyone from site marshals to the set-up and pack-down teams, refreshments and raffle squad, kitchen crew, musicians and demonstration chefs.
August bank holiday weather conditions were not at their best this year
“Definitely challenging this year”
Chair of Swanage Fish and Food Festival Adam Clarke said:
“We have so many people to thank for their unwavering support, smiling faces, can-do attitude and bubbly personalities. We really are indebted to them to be able to deliver such a brilliant festival, entertain our visitors and raise funds for charity.
“It was definitely challenging this year as the rain continued to pour on the Saturday morning set-up, trickling down the backs of necks and swamping footwear. And again on Sunday, when we received our greatest number of visitors, the wind made a nuisance of itself.
“The committee would not be able to run this event without our amazing volunteers – everyone who played a part was an essential cog in the festival machinery, resulting in a very successful weekend.
“We have a wonderful army of loyal volunteers, some of whom have been with us for years and others who have joined us very recently, but all willing to give up their precious time to help the festival run as smoothly and as efficiently as possible.”
Sandpit Field proved a successful relocation for the festival, which will return there in June 2025
“It was a great second chance opportunity”
Adam added:
“We also thank our very generous sponsors who dig deep and allow us the security to know that the majority of our set up costs and overheads are covered for the year. We can then plan ahead with a safety net for future events.
“To our numerous stallholders, a massive thank you for sticking it out on Saturday! We know how hard it was to set up in the horrendous rain and then be ready to provide the most delicious foods and drinks for everyone to enjoy.
“Our skilled demo chefs gave up time in their own kitchens on a busy bank holiday weekend to demonstrate delicious recipes for the crowds, and we loved the determination of our musical entertainers who continued to play and sing throughout the rain on Saturday and the wind on Sunday.
“We would also like to thank Swanage Town Council for its amazing support behind the scenes and permitting us to hold our 2024 festival on Sandpit Field after the cancellation back in June – it was a great second chance opportunity!”
Steve Williams from Swanage Lifeboat Station collected a cheque for £750
£4,000 given away to chosen charities
A total of £4,000 was given away to chosen charities; the Fishermen’s Mission, Swanage Lifeboat and Swanage National Coastwatch Institution.
Donations were also made to the Swanage Sea Rowing Club and to musicians’ charities for their continued support of the festival, including Cancare and Dementia Friendly Purbeck.
Martin Jones and Nick Greenwood from the Swanage National Coastwatch Institute Station, and Steve Williams from Swanage Lifeboat Station attended to accept donation cheques from the committee.
The Fishermen’s Mission will use its donation to enhance the lives of those who fish for us all
“Fishing at the moment is a huge challenge”
Although Hayley Hamlett from the Fishermen’s Mission was unable to attend, she sent a message of thanks which read:
“Thank you to each of you no matter what you do to bring the Swanage Fish and Food Festival to fruition, I know all too well how hard it is to get help, even for a much-loved event like yours.
“The festival for me is made more special by the team behind it, your passion, dedication and determination show in its success.
“Fishing at the moment is a huge challenge affecting families around the Swanage area.
“Please know every penny we receive really truly enhances, changes and even saves lives of those who fish for us all.”
Swanage Sea Rowing Club will put its £750 donation towards a new gig
Thanks to festival founding member
At the end of the afternoon the SFFF committee led by vice-chair Dee Barron made a presentation to Adam Clarke, a founding member of the festival, for his continual energy and enthusiasm for the festival, his leadership and his support of all involved in any way.
The festival’s next fundraising event is a quiz and bee-bop disco bingo at the Swanage Royal British Legion on Thursday 10th October from 7.30 pm.
Quiz teams are invited of between three and six members and entry is £3 per person on the night with all funds going towards the running costs of the 2025 festival.
Festival founder member and current chair Adam Clarke was given a vote of thanks for his leadership
Further information
- Follow the work of the festival’s chosen charities Swanage Lifeboat Station, Swanage Coastwatch, Swanage Sea Rowing Club and the Fishermen’s Mission
- More about Swanage Fish and Food Festival
