3:00am Sunday 9th September 2007
A VILLAGE fete which was resurrected for the first time in more than 90 years last month has been declared a success by its organisers.
Villagers are already making plans for next year's Hamsterley Hoppings, after the popularity of August's event, which is set to raise more than 5,000 for the North East Air Ambulance.
Residents of the village, near Bishop Auckland, decided to revive the fair earlier in the year.
At its peak, the Hoppings, so called because of the dancing that used to take place, was one of the most popular in the region.
"When we were organising it, we thought that if we got two or three hundred people coming, it would be great," said organiser Trish Hayes.
"As it turns out it was better than we could ever have expected, we think that more than 1,000 people were there over the course of the day.
"We've already had people booking up stalls for next year's show."
The main sponsor of this year's event, local company Warrens, have also promised to support next year's Hoppings.
Next weekend's prize-giving evening to present winners of all the competitions from the Hoppings will now feature an auction, with all money raised going to the final sum for the North East Air Ambulance.
Local companies have been generous in donating prizes to the event, held at Hamsterley Social Club on Saturday, September 15.
Up for auction will be Bed and Breakfast nights at a top hotel, sight-seeing tours, Premier League football tickets, beauty treatments, champagne and much more.
Tickets to the event, which starts at 7.30pm, are 3, payable on the door.
For more details call Mrs Hayes on 01388-488366.
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