FIVE villagers whose combined age is 400 years were special guests at a church fete. The event in Whaddon, which attracted more than 300 visitors, was opened by Peggy Wells, Daphne James, Bessie Smith, Sylvia Pardoe and Ted Webb to emphasise the link betw

FIVE villagers whose combined age is 400 years were special guests at a church fete.

The event in Whaddon, which attracted more than 300 visitors, was opened by Peggy Wells, Daphne James, Bessie Smith, Sylvia Pardoe and Ted Webb to emphasise the link between the parish church and the village.

The team were born and bred in Whaddon and Sylvia and Ted still live in the same house in which they were born.

Councillor Ted Webb, 79, of The Haven, said: "I sleep in the same bedroom as I did when I was a youngster. But I have never wanted to move.

"It's fantastic because I know every blade of grass and I'm surrounded by lots of nice memories.

"I was in the army and did national service and served in France and Germany but I have always been quite local.

"My father bought The Haven (a thatched cottage) in the early 1900s. We called it The Haven because we were a large family and it was nice for us to think home was our haven."

About £2,500 was raised at the fete which featured a dog and produce show, games, stalls and teas.

The money will be donated towards the upkeep and running of St Mary's Church.

Ted said: "I have an enormous interest in the village. St Mary's Church is a wonderful building with centuries of history and character.

"It's a magnificent building and we have a duty to the village to maintain the building like it has over the centuries.