Goose Fair Crowds Raise £16k for Salisbury Hospice Charity

Friday, 7 August 2026 06:00

The Grimsdyke Goose Fair, held on Sunday 2nd August, saw people from across the south gather at Swaynes Firs Farm in Coombe Bissett for a traditional poultry auction and car boot sale.

The day offered fun for the whole family and raised more than ever before – over £16,000 for Salisbury Hospice Charity.

Organised by Grimsdyke Poultry Auctions and the Butt family, the day started with a car boot sale – with compliments such as, “this is the best car boot sale, with genuine car booters!”

Two inflatables offered entertainment for children, while over 800 lots of poultry and hatching eggs kept Auctioneer Jim Butt busy, which he delivered with his trademark quick wit and warm humour.

Beyond the poultry, the ‘deadstock’ auction included everything from cars, to cages, to feeders and garden statues.

Visitors were cheered along with a Tea Garden which was busy from 8 am, stocked by generously donated cakes and run by an incredible team of volunteers supported by hospice charity staff.

Andy Butt and Sara Ball, from Grimsdyke Poultry Auctions, said, “Cracking effort this year, best one to date! Worth every late night! We are so happy, it’s so great when the hard work from everyone pays off!”

Alex Brown, Community Fundraiser for Salisbury Hospice Charity, said, “We are humbled by the incredible efforts of the Grimsdyke Goose Fair team – Andy, Sara, Jim and Pam – you are amazing!

"Huge thanks too must go to Gemma, Catherine, Liam, and Helen for keeping the office running so smoothly! We also want to thank all the volunteers for their generosity and the wonderful support from our community. The fantastic sum of over £16k is truly reflective of how much effort goes into events like this, and how much support it receives from the community – thank you to
everyone.”

For details about the Grimsdyke Goose Fair, upcoming events, or ways to get involved, please visit www.salisburyhospicecharity.org.uk.

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