'Its More Like Winter Now!'

Well, it is definitely getting more like Christmas outside now! The temperature has dropped quite a bit this last week and the wind-chill when it starts to blow goes right into your bones...

Unsurprisingly, I have now developed a cold and an writing this feeling a bit groggy from my bed! Luckily, I don't have a headache just a cold but my eyes are a bit sticky and my eyebrows feel quite sore. That last development is a new one for me!

The GOOD news is that I DID manage to go to my favourite Christmas Fair at St Clement's Church this year. Amazingly, I had not been in the church before so it was a completely new experience other than some of the familiar stall holders. The inside of St Clement's is quite an unusual mixture of the very old with the new and sparkling. There is a lot of new glass and wooden panels about and some new looking staircases behind and above the rows of traditional wooden benches which point to the altar. Normally, I feel a bit awkward inside a church. Being a bit of a gambler and not exactly a stranger to the odd 'sin or three', I feel a bit guilty and imagine a giant face looking down on me, God rubbing his hands together and saying in a slightly sarcastic manner "Ah, Mr.May! We haven't seen you for a while boy!". I'm sure God's not really like that but it shows that I am aware I'm not perfect and recognise that when entering a church. I very much doubt that I am the worst person on earth mind - but I'm a fair way from being the best either. Still, I'd rather feel a bit guilty and care about that than simply not be bothered no matter what I had done...

As usual, I made straight to the £1 a go 'win every time' stall. The organisers always make a real effort to wrap the presents you get in pretty Christmas paper and the contents of each present always work out to be good value for money as well. Inside each parcel you can be sure there will be a nice little gift and over the years I have won everything from a large Teddy Bear to a pair of ladies stockings! Now, If only they could supply me with someone to go in those! HA HA

What was really nice this year as well was the fact that when I introduced myself to the stall holders they all said that they remembered me from the days when the Fair was held at All Saints Church Hall in All Saints St. I had been sadly missed the last few years they said and told me that they'd wondered whether I had not realised about the change of venue before. While I am pretty distinctive wearing my Cowboy Hats It was still nice to know that the fun we had shared in the past had endeared me to them enough for them to remember me and be pleased to see me back.

I simply LOVE paying my money (usually all in 50p pieces) and then picking my winning raffle tickets from out of the pot or container. The fun of unfolding those tiny bits of paper, calling out the number on it and then searching the table for the relevant parcel is HUGE and really helps make my Christmas right there and then! This time I bought 10 presents when I first arrived and then another 5 after having a good look around at the other stalls. I must make quite a difference to the success of the whole Fair with spending like that and there are very rarely many presents left unsold at the end of the event when I'm about!

While browsing the other stalls I also picked up a cute Father Christmas Salt & Pepper set! I liked the look of it on the box and as it was only £1 decided to buy it as a Christmas decoration. It must have been meant to be that I did this as, when I opened the box at home and took a look at the figures inside, there was actually a 'Grannie Christmas' inside rather than any of the figures shown on the packaging accompanying Santa. I got a bit emotional when I saw that as, having lost my beloved Nan in June this year, it was almost as if her way of letting me know she's looking down on me. I shall give 'Grannie Christmas' pride of place on display indoors this year and think of my Nan every time I look at her...

The inside of St Clement's church is a much better venue to hold the Christmas Fair as well really. While its not as Christmassy in the respect of things like the paper streamers and tinsel that used to adorn All Saints Church Hall it is much bigger and gives all who come to the Fair a better chance to look at everything without tripping over each other. A large toy Train had been set up in front of the rows of pews and that added a childlike element to proceedings which was nice. As ever, for your 50p entry fee ( though the advertising posters outside all stated that 'admission was free', oops!) once you had finished browsing a nice cup of coffee or tea and a mince pie awaited you in the refreshments area. I guess there were about 20 odd stalls in all and pretty much anything and everything was on sale somewhere! I got a few cheap CD's (10p each!) and a charming little golden bear broach for £2 as well as my 15 presents so I did my bit to help the event make money!

To be honest, I would have loved to have spent even more money there but finances are not what they used to be these days and I am having to be a bit more sensible about what I spend (well, most of the time, anyway!). I always have a fair few pounds to spend at this Christmas Fair because I save up for it all year. I save 50p's in a wooden lighthouse all year round as a way of remembering my friend, Simon Patrick Kerr Griffiths (1946-2001) who, sadly, took his own life in November, 2001. Each year on the anniversary of his death I empty the lighthouse and then make a few charitable donations in his honour with whatever is inside. The money I send though usually comes directly from my bank account and so each year I am left with £30-40 of 50p pieces jangling about in my pockets. I try to spend this money on good causes as well if I can and the All Saints Christmas Fair always seems like a worthy place to spend my money and be able to have a lot of fun doing so in the bargain...

If ever you are in Hastings mid to the end of November do make sure to find out about St Clement's Church and its Christmas Fair. Unless you are a 'Bah Humbug' person you are sure to love it and come away full of the spirit of Christmas.