24 August 2009
Simon Weston Opens Solihull Home's Summer Fete
Falklands veteran Simon Weston opened The Royal Star & Garter Charity's Summer Fete at its Solihull Home yesterday. The Fete was the first event open to the general public to be held at the new home since the disabled ex-Service residents began arriving exactly a year ago.
Thanking the local community for making the Charity so welcome in Solihull, Simon said how proud he is of the stunning building which has already won a design award, and of the team of dedicated staff who work so hard to care for the residents.
After Simon cut the ribbon and declared the Fete open, he toured the stalls and had his photograph taken with numerous visitors, residents, and staff while pianist Mike Sullivan provided background music. Simon met with a particularly enthusiastic reception from the 4th Knowle Sea Scouts, and White Watch from Solihull Fire Station who had brought along their fire engine.
There was a face painter for the younger visitors while older ones could have their photograph taken with one of four birds of prey brought along by S&D Falconry. Other stalls included bric-a-brac, hook a duck, water to wine, raffles, and there were food stalls selling jacket potatoes, hot dogs, strawberries and cream, cakes, and soft drinks.
For the second half of the afternoon entertainment was provided by the AD Band, a community wind band based in Solihull with over sixty members of all ages, and whose repertoire is extremely varied. Residents and visitors thrilled to military marches, film themes such as "The Dam Busters" and "Pirates of the Caribbean", and popular tunes like "Singin' in the Rain".
Happily the latter song was inappropriate - the weather stayed fine and the Solihull Home's first Summer Fete was declared a resounding success.
<< back