Actress enjoys The Good Life at village fête

THERE was a big summer turnout of over a 1,000 people at Ebrington fête and the crowds included actress and television presenter Penelope Keith.

The star of the hit TV series The Good Life was filming in Ebrington for a forthcoming episode of the Channel 4 series Hidden Villages.

While she was in the village she and the film crew stopped off at The Ebrington Arms for a spot of lunch, she was even photographed behind the beer pumps with barman Chris Rawlings from Shipston.

Ebrington’s traditional fête proved to be a great lure for the actress who spent a lot of time with local, Clare Ambler, who was running the dog show.

There were classic car and vintage tractors on show and the Drinkwater farmers were as busy as ever giving people tractor rides in and around Ebrington and Hidcote.

The primary school PTFA ran an assault course, welly wanging and a lucky dip, and there were creepy crawlies, bouncy castles, Punch and Judy and skittles to keep them entertained in-between the stalls offering toy cars and ice cream and various musical and dance performances.

Other attractions included bric a brac, bottle stall, flowers, teas, cakes and produce served by Ebrington WI and the Ebrington singers. The Ebrington Arms ran its usual beer tent showcasing their own beers, Yubby, Goldie and Yawnie, which all sold out.

Around £5,000 was raised for the church, local groups and charities.

Claire Alexander, owner of The Ebrington Arms, said: “The spirit around Ebrington is quite unique and every year the locals are very happy that such a small village can draw such a big crowd.

"It’s a truly great community effort, everyone pitches in and I guess that’s what the Hidden Villages crew wanted to capture. The show will be screened later in the year.”

See the current edition of the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald for more pictures from the Ebrington village fête.