A fantastic day on Shenfield Common as over 6,000 enjoyed another successful Strawberry Fair – the highest turnout ever.

The weather was perfect and thousands of people flocked to enjoy the best that Brentwood has to offer.

Phoenix FM’s Tony Smith and Bob Simpson ran the entertainment in the new Big Top while our roving reporter Vic Damhar chatted with the stallholders.

The entertainment was provided by BabyBallet, Bradshaw’s Theatre School, Matthew Shepherd, Cameron Southcott, Funky Voices, Michelle Ward, Essex Dance Theatre and the Brentwood Shakespeare Company – and Tony Smith also gave an impromptu singing performance! There was also a presentation by the new Mayor of Brentwood, Cllr Vicky Davies, who handed out prizes for the Classic Car Rally with Nick from Nick’s Tyres.

Vic chatted to:

Mick from Essex Wildlife Trust
Brian from Lighthouse Furniture Project
Brian from Brentwood District Scouts
Laurie Edmonds from Brentwood Arts Council
Mark Reed from Brentwood Theatre
Alex from Warescot Farm
Alan Brett from Essex Ferret Welfare Society
Simon Peace from Old Brentwoods Acorns Rugby Club
Maureen from Brentwood Tenants Together
Julie from Romford Greyhound Owners Association
Sarah and Rachel from Hopefield Animal Sanctuary
Marie from Epilepsy Action
Jackie from the Royal London Hospital Kidney Patients’ Association

And you can hear all the interviews again here:

[mixcloud height=120 width=620]https://www.mixcloud.com/phoenixfm/strawberry-fair-special-2014/[/mixcloud]

For car and film enthusiasts, there were a range of classic cars, featuring a 1920 Averling and Porter Traction Steam Engine, and two cars from the film Bullitt. And with so many fantastic cars on display, the Mayor of Brentwood, Councillor Vicky Davies had quite a task judging the Best in Show competition, sponsored by Nick’s Tyres. John Griffiths, from Hornchurch, drove away with the winning prize, a presentation plaque and fuel voucher, for his 1929 Singer.

And in true British tradition there were plenty of strawberries provided by Doddinghurst Road Church at their Strawberries and Cream stall and there was also local beer and cider from Brentwood Brewing Company and a Pimms stall by Brentwood Breakfast Rotary Club.

Brentwood Borough Council’s Chair of the Community Committee, Councillor Karen Chilvers, said: “The Strawberry Fair was a great event and we had an excellent turnout. It was much busier than previous years and the sunny weather really helped.

We have had some lovely messages from the stallholders who said there was a real sense of community spirit. Visitors enjoyed the local strawberries, which were a sell out, and there was some fantastic entertainment. It really was a celebration of the British summer!

I would also like to thank all those who volunteered to help out on the day, as without them this event would not have been possible.”

Videos of some of the singers can be seen below:

You can see more photos from the fair on our Facebook page by clicking the image below: