The 2026 Event

Our primary sponsor for 2026 was:

With additional sponsorship from:

The Plough Inn, David Webb Residential, Handy Travel, Bob’s Transport, The Mewes Vets, Christopher Stringer, The Duck Inn and The Friends of the Fair

Chairman's Report

Introduction and Overview

The 2026 Rottingdean Village Fair was another successful and encouraging occasion, bringing The Green, Kipling Gardens and St Margaret’s Churchyard to life with stalls, entertainment, food, drink and activities for all ages. Feedback from visitors, stallholders, performers and community groups was very positive, and the day demonstrated once again what can be achieved when the village comes together.

Total income was just under £20,000, approximately 15% higher than in 2025. The improvement was broad-based, with stronger returns from the bars and food, higher gate receipts, and an increase in Friends of the Fair income. Provisional profit exceeded £10,500, compared with approximately £8,500 the previous year. These figures are encouraging, although our growing success also brings responsibilities that we must address carefully.

A particular highlight was the Alien exhibit, which proved popular with visitors. My thanks go to John Humphreys for helping to make this attraction possible. We were also delighted to welcome the Rottingdean & Saltdean Lions back to the Fair.

Supporting Our Community

At the heart of the Village Fair is its charitable purpose: bringing people together while supporting organisations that make a real difference to our community.

In the light of recent tragic events along our nearby shoreline, the committee felt that this year’s charitable giving should recognise the vital work being done to keep people safe by the sea. Lives continue to be lost in our waters and along our coastline. These tragedies remind us that those who promote water safety, educate the public and respond when people are in danger perform work that can quite literally save lives. By supporting the RNLI and our local beach patrol and swimming organisations, we hope to make a practical contribution to a safer coastline for residents and visitors alike.

The Fair also gives local organisations, stallholders and community groups an opportunity to raise funds, meet new supporters and strengthen the connections that make Rottingdean such a special place – and many of these organisations reported their most successful year ever. This combination of charitable giving, community involvement and shared purpose remains central to the event.

This year, the committee agreed a charitable package worth £8,000, comprising £6,000 from Fair funds and £2,000 in matched funding. The planned allocation is:

RNLI — £3,000 in total
£2,000 from Fair funds, plus £1,000 in matched funding.

Brighton Beach Patrol — £3,000 in total.
£2,000 from Fair funds, plus £1,000 in matched funding.

Saltdean Swim & Surf Club — £1,000.
A contribution towards its local activities.

Kipling Gardens Restoration Project — £1,000.
A contribution towards the wider restoration and landscaping work.

Sponsors, Supporters and Volunteers

The Fair could not take place without the generosity of our sponsors and supporters. My sincere thanks go to The White Horses, Handy Travel, David Webb Residential, The Duck Inn, The Mewes Vets, Christopher Stringer and Bob’s Transport. Special thanks are due to Kenny and the Plough public house for their continuing support.

We are grateful to Rottingdean Parish Council and Brighton & Hove City Council for their ongoing support, and to John Bryant and the owners of Hilders Field for making car parking available. Thanks also to the parking team and all those who helped guide visitors and keep the arrangements running smoothly.

The Friends of the Fair continue to make a valuable contribution, both financially and through their practical support. Above all, I want to thank the many volunteers who plan, prepare, build, staff, organise and clear away. Much of this work happens quietly, long before and after the public sees the Fair, and it is essential to its success.

Remembering Gail Woodcock

We were deeply saddened by the sudden death of Gail Woodcock, a great supporter of the Village Fair. Gail’s support and contribution will be remembered with affection. On behalf of the committee, I extend our sincere condolences to her family and all those who were close to her.

Looking Ahead: Growth and Sustainability

The Fair’s increasing popularity and financial performance are welcome, but we must not assume that continued growth is automatically beneficial. A larger attendance places greater demands on the site, entrances, facilities, infrastructure, safety arrangements and the volunteers who make the event possible. We need to plan for growth responsibly and ensure that the Fair remains safe, enjoyable and manageable.

This is also the context in which we need to consider the date of the 2027 Fair in relation to Brighton Pride. This year, they have changed their dates to the preceding weekend, and we have therefore decided after much deliberation to move the Fair to coincide with Pride on Saturday 31st July. We believe this is the more prudent course, helping to avoid the additional and potentially unpredictable pressure on attendance that could arise if the two events were held on separate weekends.

We cannot know precisely how visitor numbers would be affected, but it is reasonable to consider the possibility that people who might previously have chosen between the two events could attend both if they were on different weekends. That could create a sudden increase in attendance and put an unprecedented pressure on our site and resources. The first Saturday in August has become the Fair’s customary date in more recent years, but it is not immutable; the date has been changed in the past. We should be prepared to respond sensibly when circumstances change.

Every year, the committee reviews all aspects of crowd management, capacity, facilities, staffing and volunteer resources. Financial success matters because it enables us to support good causes, but it must never come at the expense of delivering a safe and well-managed event. Our responsibility is to protect what we have built and ensure that the Fair remains sustainable for the community for years to come.

And Finally…

A village fair is about much more than a single day in August. It is about the people who give their time, the friendships that grow, the organisations that benefit, and the remarkable things that can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared purpose.

Every year, Rottingdean Village Fair brings a little extra life, colour and character to our village. This year’s success is something we can all take pride in, and a reflection of the generosity, imagination and hard work of so many people.

So, to everyone who helped, supported, sponsored, performed, organised, served, built, carried, cleared away or simply came along and enjoyed the day — thank you. The Fair belongs to all of us, and it is your enthusiasm and goodwill that make it what it is.

We have plenty to look forward to, and no shortage of ideas to explore. With the same community spirit, a little imagination and a great deal of teamwork, I am confident that we can build on this year’s achievements and make the next Fair every bit as memorable.

Here’s to Rottingdean, to the people who make it such a special place, and to another wonderful Village Fair in 2027!

Gary Fitzpatrick - Chairman Rottingdean Village Fair

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Introduction

The 2026 Village Fair delivered another successful year, with total income increasing by 15% compared with 2025. Growth was driven primarily by strong performances across the bar, food and gate takings.

Despite increased costs, the Fair maintained a healthy profit margin, generating a surplus of £10,578. This enabled us to increase charitable donations to £6,000 while continuing to strengthen our reserves and secure the mid-term sustainability of future Fairs.

Key Successes

Strong income growth: Total income increased by £2,579 (15%) year-on-year to £19,548.
Excellent bar and food performance: Takings increased by 26% compared with 2025.
Increased charitable contributions: Donations to charities and local causes rose by £1,000 to £6,000.
Improved financial resilience: Reserves were strengthened, leaving the Fair in a healthy financial position for future years.

Income

Total Fair income (excl. Individual stall takings) for 2026: £19,548 (up from £16,969 in 2025, a 15% increase).

Main income drivers:

Bar and Food Takings – £9,178 (2025: £7,263)
Another outstanding year, with takings increasing by 26% year-on-year (and almost 60% compared with 2024). Growth was evident across all outlets, achieving a 64% increase on 2025.
Gate Takings – £3,439 (2025: £2,795):
Gate income increased by 23%. Card payment facilities were introduced at the two main entrances, with £586 of admissions paid by card (17% of total Gate takings).
Sponsorships and Grants – £1,500 (2025: £2,575):
Thank you to all our sponsors and to the Parish Council for their generous support.
Income from this category was lower than in 2025 when we benefitted from a one off donation (£500) and we were unable to secure the same level of sponsorship this year.
Friends of the Fair – £1,960 (2025: £1,617):
We are extremely grateful for this continued generosity. Your contributions help us provide a wide variety of entertainment for children and adults alike. This support has also helped fund our new village signage, with the bright yellow signs appearing around the village in the week leading up to the Fair. A leaflet drop contributed to a 21% increase in Friends of the Fair contributions compared with 2025.
Stallholder Fees and Food Concessions – £2,574 (2025: £2,312):
The addition of the Church grounds in 2025 has enabled us to welcome a wider variety of stalls for the community to explore and we even have a waiting list!

Financial Report

Expenditure Overview

Total expenditure for 2026 was £8,970, compared with £8,425 in 2025, representing a 6% increase.

The rise was largely attributable to investment in new Fair signage and the installation of Wi-Fi on the green, supporting both card payments at the entrances and as well as helping stallholders accept card payments.

Other costs remained broadly stable.

Profit for 2026: £10,578 (2025: £8,544 – an increase of 24%).

This strong result reflects the significant revenue growth, particularly across bar and food sales, alongside keeping costs to a minimum where possible.

As a result, we are delighted to increase charitable donations from £5,000 in 2025 to £6,000 in 2026, supporting local charities and community causes.

We have also further strengthened our reserves (£15,379 in bank), ensuring the Fair remains financially sustainable and well equipped to manage potential challenges in future years.

And finally, I would also like to add my personal thanks to all our generous sponsors and contributors, and the many volunteers and helpers, without whom the Fair simply wouldn't happen!

Charly Robertson - Treasurer, Rottingdean Village Fair