As every year, writes Heidi Foster, the annual Christmas Fair, which took place in St Mary’s church on December 3, was exciting and full of various stalls providing plenty of choice. It was a chance to pick up some needed presents for a reasonable price, including books galore, home knitted little animals and baby items, tombola, pottery and bric-a-brac.
I would like to mention a few stalls which stood out for me. The Sweet Retreat offering delicious hand made artisan sweets made with the finest ingredients, such as rum truffles (yum yum, I had two), peppermint fondants, honeycomb, vanilla fudge and more. I would recommend an order, contact Sally Preston at 0744 386 2154 who is one of the friendly librarians in our town.
There was a stall selling lovely Fairtrade goods and another raising funds for the Mothers’ Union, which supports families who cannot afford a holiday. The organisation has a caravan in Winchelsea where these families can enjoy a few days. The funds raised will go to replace bedding and towards other expenses. It is well worth supporting.
Another stall, which made me stop, had wonderful handmade writing paper, envelopes and cards made in India from recycled rags and wool waste. There were beautiful silk embroidered cushion covers and other exciting items from India. Anwesha Arya who had a shop in Market Road a couple of years ago selling these special items is now trading from the Paper Place. You can find her on Facebook, make an appointment by calling 07840 134448 or by email – the paperplacerye@gmail.com
John Gurney writes: there were 25 stalls dotted round St Mary’s church. Most of them were representing voluntary organisations, but one or two were private enterprise, such as the hand-made chocolate stall.
Nearly £1400 was raised for church funds, from the hiring of tables and from stalls manned by church members, including stalls selling cakes, second-hand books, tombola, raffle tickets and refreshments in the Clare Chapel.
The Christmas Fair at St Mary’s used to be principally for church fund raising, but four or five years ago, voluntary organisations were invited to play a greater role, by renting stalls to display their wares and retaining all the proceeds.
The whole place was buzzing with several hundred passing through and buying from the stalls, making it a most enjoyable and sociable event.
Photos: Kenneth Bird and Heidi Foster