A HUGELY popular fete, which was cancelled for the first time in its history during the pandemic, is set to return for a 25th time.

Weldmar Hospicecare Summer Fete will take place in the meadow and gardens of the charity’s Inpatient Unit in Dorchester next month.

It will be the first time the event will have taken place since the pandemic, and organisers expect to it to be an emotional day as families who've lost loved ones reunite with the nurses who cared for them.

The ever popular nurses’ stall will be staffed by nurses from the hospice and community teams. There will be lots of other games, stalls, and activities, as well as music and entertainment, plenty of food and drink, and the Silent Auction will also be returning.

New attractions this year include animals from The Ranch, forest school activities, children’s entertainer Poppinz, and even virtual gaming. Entertainment will be provided by singers Tony Lowe and Andy Collett, and dancers from The Studio and Broadwey Boogie.

The entry fee remains at just £2 for adults, with children going free, and a free shuttle bus service will be running to the event from the Market car park in Dorchester.

Clare Ash, from Weldmar’s fundraising team, is one of the organisers, and says: “We’re delighted that the fete is returning. It’s a really good day out for all the family, and not only helps raise significant funds but is also an opportunity for people who have lost loved ones to return to the hospice and see the nurses again, which can be emotional.”

"Having not had the summer fete for the past couple of years, it’s going to be really special to get everyone back together again, and it’s lovely to see colleagues from all across the charity helping out in different ways.”

Rachel Hill, local director at HSBC UK, said: "Weldmar have been a key local partner for us over the last few years with many of our team volunteering as part of the paid volunteering leave the bank provides as an employee benefit.

"So when the opportunity arose to support the summer ete we immediately knew it would be something we wanted to support as we have had the privilege to see first-hand the amazing work carried out by the team at Weldmar. We have a number of our branches within our local area where Weldmar support the local community, so it seemed a fantastic opportunity to show our support and appreciation for what they do. We are excited to be there on the day supporting the event with some of our local team.”

The Weldmar Hospicecare Summer Fete will take place on Saturday, September 10, supported by HSBC UK. is on from 11am to 4pm at the Inpatient Unit on Herringston Road on Saturday 10th September. Herringston Road is expected to be closed for a few minutes at approximately 11:45am to allow cyclists from The Tour of Britain through as part of their route.

More information about the Summer Fete can be found at weldmarhospicecare.org.