The 2022 Fête was a happy event for many reasons, apart from the obvious one of being allowed to have a fete after a 36-month absence due to Covid 19. A less obvious reason to be happy is that the Fête encouraged many of our older parishioners to attend their first social outing since the end of lockdown. The sight of happy people returning to what is, first and foremost, an important community occasion and family event was inspiring to the many volunteers and stallholders who had given so much of their time to organising it.

The Fête turnover was approx. €28,000 so far, with more expected to still come in from the brochure and in donations. Costs rose this year with jumps in the cost of printing, renting marquees and tables to name a few. The net profit is still a handsome €20,000 and the Select Vestry will shortly allocate a portion in support of the Church of Ireland Ukraine project which was publicised at the event. There are many people who have consistently helped to organise and run the Fête for over 20 years and, as some of them take a well-earned break from involvement, there will be a need for others to come forward and be generous with their time and offer their talents at next year’s Fête!

On the thank you list must be The High School and their Staff who made us most welcome, and the 2023 TY Students are gearing up to be of assistance in running a new stall to demonstrate their business and organisational skills. The availability of The High School to Rathfarnham Parish is a facility for which we are most grateful. Also, the generosity of the many sponsors and those that took advertisements in the Fête brochure must also be acknowledged. We would also like to acknowledge the work of the Ventures, Scouts, Cubs and Beavers together with their leaders who successfully organised games, supervised the Bouncy Castle, ran the Donate Ukraine Stall, helped put up and took down tents and carted boxes amongst other things. The tireless goodwill and efforts of so many Parishioners and friends of the Parish who helped out at the Fête is truly amazing. Their talents range from baking, making, cooking, growing, serving, sorting, selling, cleaning, sweeping, carrying, counting, encouraging, asking and of course, to being able to stand for a long time. The success of the Fête is owned by all the people, young and old, who attended either in front of or behind a stall or a game and who enjoyed themselves. As always feedback is appreciated and do let us know if you have ideas for Fête 2023.

The Fête Committee - Canon Adrienne, Carolyn McQueston, George James, Pat Fowler, Margaret Berney, Joan Carty, Jonathan Mills and Ross Shorten.