Fete de Champetre 

On 23rd June 145 guests were treated to a magical ‘dinner and auction of promises evening’ in the Tithe Barn at Old Minster Lovell. Hand made bunting swathed the outside of the barn and as dusk fell garden flares lit up the guests who were sipping on champagne and tasting delicious canapés. Inside the tables were decorated with pots of white Geraniums laid out on Provencal cotton table cloths which gave the place a festive feel almost like a French Village Party! After guests had dined on a wonderful spit roast supper the auction, led by Henry Bowring of Sotheby’s, began. Two of the promises given included; a half day consultation by top garden designer Roddy Llewellyn on how to revamp your garden which went for £450 and a night for two families to stay in tents, pitched by the lions, in the Cotswold Wildlife Park, and as guests of the owner to be given a private tour of the animals, once all the public had gone home to be followed by a barbecue. This fantastic promise made a wonderful £650.

In total Bridget Geddes who organised the event raised an incredible £14,000 for FSID.

Speaking to BBC Radio Oxford prior to the evening Bridget talked personally about the sudden death of her son Rupert in 1974 and said she was holding the Fete de Champetre Event to raise awareness of the work Foundation have done and are doing.