THE downpour came with cruel promptness but did not deter the thousands of people who turned out for the Hopton fete on Sunday, which was jointly organised by the Lions Club and Hopton Parish Council.

THE downpour came with cruel promptness but did not deter the thousands of people who turned out for the Hopton fete on Sunday, which was jointly organised by the Lions Club and Hopton Parish Council.

It was opened during a cloudburst at 11am by the deputy mayor of Great Yarmouth, Paul Garrod, who toured the field in the Radio Broadland thunder vehicle.

Spokesman Chris Stanley said: “Credit must go to the Endeavour Rangers, who once again put in a splendid performance in difficult conditions to open the proceedings in the arena. They were followed by a demonstration from the Tai Chi Qigong Health Centre in this wonderful relaxing art form.”

He added: “By the time Great Yarmouth Brass Band's youth section took to the arena the sun decided to shine, which it did for the rest of the afternoon which improved the conditions needed for both the Freestyle Dance Company and the Charisma twirlers.”

Teenage girl band EFX, who were fresh from their trip to the X Factor, put on a show of magnificent singing and dancing to entertain the audience, just as the sun decided to shine, organisers said.

The afternoon entertainment was rounded off with some well-known numbers performed by the Eastern Spirit Show Corp band in their new uniforms.

Mr Stanley said the dog show was a resounding success despite the early rain. He said: “The scarecrow competition produced many wonderful examples, to be found dotted around the village, as did the Hopton in Bloom competition, which always manages to show the good things amateurs can do using their flowers with imagination and colour.

“Thousands of people attended, but we still don't know exactly how many. The charity stalls will have earned money for their own good causes, which is what an event like this show at Hopton is all about.”