IN PICTURES: Check out all the fun at the Fête in Laois

The sixty first Abbeyleix Rectory Garden Fete took place on the August Bank Holiday Monday. 

Photographer Alf Harvey was on hand to capture all the action for the Leinster Express/Laois Live. For results and to read more see below picture. Click Next to view more pictures. 

The last of the tents were put up on Monday morning. The afternoon turned out to be wonderfully dry, sunny and warm much to everyone’s delight. 

“We were very glad that Helen Gee was able to be with us officially to open the Fete. Helen is a faithful supportive parishioner, entrepreneur and with her husband Cyril and her family they run the very successful G’s Gourmet Jams,”  said Canon Patrick Harvey, Rector. 

“We are also very grateful to all those who came to support this event. Attractions included the Wheel of Fortune, Soft Archery, Bowls, Duck Racing, Kids’ Korner, Teas, various Competitions and Raffles, the Hot Dog, Cake, Books, Ice Cream, Grow It Yourself, White Elephant and Bottle Stalls and Country Produce. Grateful thanks also go to the Fête committee.”

“A very great deal of hard work goes on behind the scenes planning for the day, preparing and setting up the garden, and then running the stalls, side shows and games and in preparing and serving the teas. We are, as ever, very grateful to our many sponsors who support us generously,” said Canon Harvey. 

“On behalf of the Parishes of Abbeyleix, Ballinakill & Ballyroan, which benefit from the day’s fundraising,  We want to thank sincerely all who come, rain or shine, for their continuing generous support of our Fête,” he said. 

Rectory Garden Fête Draw Winners …

1 st Prize €500 ~ Eamon Porter

2 nd Prize €100 Fyffe’s Fashion Store Voucher ~ Lucy Gibney

3 rd Prize €50 voucher for Cleland’s Supermarket, Abbeyleix ~ Jessica Kelly

4 th Prize €50 voucher for Moynan’s Fuel Services, Abbeyleix ~ Peggy Thompson

5 th Prize €50 voucher for Moynan’s Fuel Services, Abbeyleix ~ Florence Dunne

6 th Prize Sandymount Heritage Family Day ~ Pam Seale

7 th Prize Red Door Voucher ~ Eric Condell

Duck Race winner ~ Dick Lalor

Kids’ Korner Teddy plus €15 Mueller & O’Connell voucher ~ Elizabeth Hanniffy

Kids’ Kornet Teddy #2 ~ William Gee

‘Who am I’ quiz ~ Philip Nash

Hamper ~ Philip Nash

Firewood ~ Stan Lalor

Lamb ~ Helen Cruickshank

Bowls ~ Siuin Martin

Monkey Raffle ~ Lauren Kavanagh

Guess the number of sweets ~ Ellen O’Donovan