On 28 March SNAP will be supporting the WI Village Duck race.

This event on the River Bourne will start in our High Street and the ducks will be released from The Limes bridge and race along the current ending at the Church bridge.

Duck adoptions start at 1.30pm with first Race at 2pm

4 duck races followed by Junior Regatta - Boat race – for under 12’s – max boat size 30cm

Egg related Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places for each race -

Come along and “Adopt a Duck” for £1

Jumble Sale – February 2025

Our Jumble Sale in February 2025 was one of those memorable community days where the hall was buzzing from start to finish. With a huge turnout and an incredible group of volunteers, we managed to raise over £1,200. People arrived early, the atmosphere was lively, and there was a real sense of excitement as bargains were snapped up left, right and centre. The event also demonstrated our community values: every leftover item was carefully sorted and as much as possible was donated to local charities and the Shipton Fete, meaning nothing went to waste and everything continued to benefit others.

Reminiscence Days (Two Events)

We held two Reminiscence Days, both of which turned out to be deeply meaningful gatherings. These sessions brought together long-standing residents, newer arrivals, and families who shared memories, photographs, and stories about life in Shipton Bellinger. Many wonderful recollections of The Boot Inn surfaced from celebrations held there to stories passed down through generations. These events weren’t just nostalgic; they connected people across ages and backgrounds, reminding us how important shared history is in weaving the fabric of village life.

WINE TASTING EVENING

Our Wine Tasting Night was a hugely enjoyable sold out evening that managed to be both relaxed and successful at the renamed Shipton Bollinger. Guests were lead through a range of wines by our wine guru Nigel, with lots of laughter, information and fun. Before the night was even over we were asked when will we be running the next wine tasting night. We raised £523, which is a testament to everyone who supported the event especially the Sports and Social Club, who once again hosted us and continue to be incredibly supportive. Their partnership means a great deal to us, and evenings like this remind us how lucky we are to have them on board.

Village Fete

At last year’s Village Fete, we proudly ran three stalls, each one attracting steady interest throughout the day. From raffles and games to informative displays, our presence was strongly felt. We’re currently working out how many stalls we’ll be running this year  but the enthusiasm is definitely there. Most importantly, we extend a heartfelt thank‑you to the Fete Committee for their incredibly generous £700 donation to our project. Their support reflects how much the whole village wants to see The Boot Inn return as a community asset.

The Pub Treasure Hunt

The Pub Treasure Hunt turned into a wonderfully fun village adventure, with around 30 people taking part some in cars, others volunteering and by volunteering we mean sitting in other local pubs sampling their fare whilst waiting with clues for the teams participating. The route had people exploring corners of the area they’d never noticed, solving clues, sharing laughs along the way and visiting local pubs. It was a great day to raise the profile of local pubs and equally valuable was the sense of community spirit it created. The event drew together families, friends, newcomers, and long-time residents for a light-hearted afternoon that reminded us why village traditions matter.