While the Swanage and Purbeck Rotary community fete in 2024 had to be abandoned due to rain and strong winds, this year’s event in 2025 was spared the summer storms, with crowds enjoying the warm – if breezy – weather in Swanage, Dorset.
Making the most of Sandpit Field – Swanage’s event space near to the beach – gazebos packed the grassy area offering traditional fete games, face painting, ice cream, and candy floss, while showcasing local community organisations.
The fete on Sandpit Field – an important event space for Swanage. The area is subsiding and plans to stabilise it are now due to take place in 2027
Plenty of holidaymakers joining in the fun
The fete which took place on Thursday 7th August 2025 was very busy with plenty of holidaymakers joining in the fun.
The new president of Swanage and Purbeck Rotary Bart Libicki said:
“I’m very pleased with how things are going with the fete this year. Last year I couldn’t make it as I was in Poland and of course the weather was really bad. Thankfully I’ve managed to keep the rain clouds away this year!
“Actually I think the weather is perfect – not too hot that everyone wants to be on the beach, but not cold and raining, keeping everyone at home. It’s great seeing lots of people enjoying themselves.
“I’ve been looking around and seeing the more experienced Rotary members looking very happy, so if they are happy, I’m happy too!”
Dementia Friendly Purbeck and Swanage Disabled Club were just two of the local charities raising money and their profile at the fete
New president of Swanage and Purbeck Rotary Bart Libicki
“Privileged to serve our community”
Bart, who is originally from Poland got involved with Rotary a few years ago and was asked to become the club’s new president for 2025. He said:
“I was a bit shocked when I was asked and had to sleep on it overnight but I wanted to support Rotary and see it continue. I’m honoured and privileged to serve our community.
“Of course Rotary is an international organisation and one of the oldest branches is in Poland. I’d really like to be able to forge more links between Rotary in Poland and here in Swanage.”
Fundraising for the crucial Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and raising awareness of its lottery which made millions last year to help keep the lifesaving service in the air
Rotary volunteer and fete organiser Steve Leigh
“It was time to give back”
As always the fete, which took place between 10 am and 5 pm, requires a lot of organisation.
Leading on the planning for 2025 was Steve Leigh along with his wife Alison.
Steve said:
“We moved to Swanage from Wiltshire about four years ago and one of the reasons was to get involved in a local community like this. I volunteer on the pier, drive for the disabled club, and help with the lunch club at the Swanage Legion.
“Now we’re retired, it was time to give back and so my role was to organise the layout of all the stalls at the fete, with the help of my wife Alison. The day before there was all the setting up, and today I’m the troubleshooter but so far things have gone fine.
“We’ve been assisted by other local organisations like the Fish Festival committee and the Swanage Carnival team, which is what Swanage is all about and we’re very grateful for their help.
“While the aim is to raise money for our Rotary good causes like local youth projects, and international campaigns like End Polio Now, Shelter Box and the shoe boxes at Christmas, our summer fete is also about everyone having an enjoyable time.
“We deliberately kept the cost of pitches down for food and drink providers but asked them not to charge high prices, so it was all more affordable for everyone who came along today.”
At the pep talk for all the volunteers on the evening before, Steve told them if things went well he was called Steve but if it all went wrong his name was Dave.
It was definitely a ‘Steve’ day!
Further information
- More and Swanage and Purbeck Rotary
More photos
A glowing gazebo for Horty’s Dorset Honey
Rotary secretary Chris Le Fevre displaying hidden talents with axe throwing!
Interesting things to buy at the fete
Rotary past president Maggie Hardy (left) with Mary Buck (right) on the Swanage Community Defibrillator Partnership stand
Join the Sheddies at Durlston Country Park
