Report on Abbey Fields at The Boot
Food, Music & Green Spaces
Tuesday 16th May 2023
Arnold Fertig
This was a special evening at The Boot, whose manager Josh Reed kindly invited Abbey Fields to take over his restaurant for the evening. And we knew it was serious when Boot central agreed to throw in the cool jazz band, the FB Pocket Orchestra, to entertain the diners in a brilliant fashion.
Some troublesome volunteers led by the indefatigable Moira Neal with the trusty help of Rhian Bond came round the tables to sell tickets for the raffle. And not surprisingly £650 was raised as the 11 donated prizes included – vouchers from Histon Smokehouse , Barley Mow and The Boot, a beautiful bouquet from Gin House Flowers plus that useful Chop Shop Voucher, a pampering basket thanks to Topiary Tree and a personal fitness Voucher from BB Fit – not to mention a fabulous beauty treatment from Estelle. And of course, that bottle of champagne.
Photographs of the team with some of the prizes
Ian Copeland, auctioneer in action at The Boot
Then on to the auction of promises. Our auctioneer for the evening was the whimsical Ian Copeland. You would not know that it was his first time! He had us gripped by his anecdotal style and goaded the maximum out of the willing audience. But his task was made easier by 22 special and generous promises – from a flight out of Duxford in a De Haviland Dragon Rapide, to rides in a Porsche at Silverstone. There were two smashing offers of photographic sessions (Amy Murrell and Penny Reeves), a nearly new 8th generation iPad and a classy town bike. Thanks go to Impington Mill, Abbey Farm and special entertainment offers in the hides at the East Pond, better known as Moira’s kitchen and summerhouse. There were extraordinarily wonderful cake offers from Bogusia Jenking, Histon Football Club offered a match ball sponsorship, and the essential bicycle experience came from Nikki Searle. Garden design from Erika Hunt was a must, and architecture advice was on offer from Jonathan Polley. There was keen interest in a print of the veteran oak from Helena Perry, who also donated a place on one of her workshops, and five sessions of primary age tutoring from Rhian was keenly contested. The Cambridge Cats, Fitz and Will were not to be left out with signed copies of four of their adventures and an offer of their full-size mascots for a day. And finally, a party is probably now enjoying an authentic home-cooked Mexican meal by Joshua Reed in his home.
Including a generous donation, the evening raised nearly £4000 – and what is especially amazing is that almost all the auction prizes and promises came from people and businesses within the village. As the many successful bidders began to leave the restaurant, they seemed almost happy to pay their dues – but seriously, all agreed that it was a very entertaining evening especially the barking dog who appeared to win most things! Certainly. an event that will contribute to securing the land of Abbey Fields and preserving its biodiversity and public access. Maybe an evening to be repeated?