Helping Make Things Happen – Fun in the Fresh Air

One answer is the SeptemberFest!

This year, as there was a very distinct chance of rain, a large team of Helpers extended the Community Centre by adding another 15 marquees and gazebos to ensure the 2 -day event could go ahead whatever the weather. It was a fantastic success. 

Over a 1000 people attended wearing smiles from ear to ear. They had good reason to do so as well – there was something for everyone to enjoy as chair Robin Parkin’s team offered a bigger range of Food, Drink, Music and Fun than ever. 

New this year was Draught Lager, Slushies (alcoholic on Friday, non -alcoholic for kids on Saturday), non – alcoholic gins and a much bigger range of cocktails. We offered Indian food for the first time along with chips, freshly fried in our new Food Court. These really complimented some of our regular offers – Pie and Peas and Pizza, from our new gas fired oven, for the first time.

Saturday being Family Day has now morphed into the Monk Fyston and Hillam equivalent of the world-renowned Munich Oktoberfest with its enormous Fun Fair …hence the name SeptemberFest. There were loads of things to do – ranging from the Bucking Bronco, Football Games and Bouncy Castles to soft archery and soft axe throwing…and as all kids need feeding, we had our Tuck shop on hand, plus kids’ food at the BBQ, and, another first – a team from ‘What the Dickens’ produced a variety of Crepes. These were a great hit, both for the children who devoured them, and the new ‘senior’ volunteers who loved being actively involved at village event and seeing the happy, smiling children having fun.

So, what is the real answer link between a new Forest, Football and Swings? 

Well, the three organisations who jointly stage SeptemberFest, the School PTA, Monk Fryston Junior Football Club and the Community Association all use the event to raise money for development Projects.  

This year we are pleased to announce that you, our supporters, being those who attended, our sponsors, and volunteer helpers jointly created a surplus of over £12,000 at the event – and had a lot of fun whilst doing it. This is after we spent around £3000 to buy equipment such as the new lager Bar, the Pizza Oven, the Slushie machine, the Crepe machine and soft toy games.  The money is shared equally.

The PTA is going to use the money to continue the development and provision of the school outdoor teaching facility which is already underway as a new Forest has been planted. The Football Club is going to invest the money in developing the provision of women’s and girls’ football by hiring special coaching staff – to extend the skills required to nurture new age group teams for girls following a similar successfully approach to nurture existing teams. The Community Association is committed to improving and updating the village playground and high on the list of requirements is additional swing capacity.  Hopefully by next years event which will take place on 11th and 12th September 2026. 

Finally – as a matter of interest we did also serve, 23 Beers (including Gluten free), 6 Ciders, 4 Gins, plus red and white wine and prosecco… as well as soft and non- alcoholic drinks.  

Thank you for your support – in any and every capacity – 
and Save the Date 11th and 12th Sep ‘26