'My First Christmas Fair Of The Year'

It was the annual Christmas Fair at St Luke's Church in Silverhill today! I always try to get along to the little churches 'festive do' as it is always a lovely event with a nice community atmosphere. The Church hall is big enough to make browsing fun but not so big that you lose the intimacy, if you know what I mean? I always associate the way that the parishioners lay out tables in the centre of the hall with Christmas table cloths on and implements for Tea and biscuits with the 'Women's Institute' for some reason (probably because my mates Mum, Mrs. Crouch was in the habit for many years of baking cakes for similar events and she was a W.I. member) and the whole event somehow evokes thoughts of a bygone age...

It is a fact, sadly that many of the generation of people who put a lot of work into running such events at local churches and community centres are now dying off. There were not as many stalls this year as last and the queue at the door before the STRICT opening time of 10AM only consisted of about a dozen or so people whereas I recall it stretching all the way back to the pavement in Sedlescombe Rd South a few years back. I always say to my Mum (who went with me) how we must all appreciate such events while we still have them because I can't see the latest 'always too busy on their phones' generation being bothered about 'Christmas Fairs' - or any social activity that involves the real world for that matter! (lol)

While there was a CRACKING selection of fresh, home made cakes to buy and sample this year and a HUGE raffle with maybe 100 or more prizes I was a bit disappointed with what was on offer on the majority of the other stalls this year. In my opinion there were far too many raffle style stalls where you had to rely purely on luck to get anything. I prefer to be able to buy items as - not being very lucky with raffles (or any form of gambling for that matter!) I often end up spending a lot of money and come away empty handed. I did have a go on the MacMillan Nurses stall though (and lost!) because that is a cause worth supporting.

My main disappointment this year though revolved around the AMAZING lady who sold home made Christmas cards to me last year. I got some genuine bargain cards last year at incredible prices and was looking to 'fill my boots (or stockings!)' again this year but though there was a card stall the cards were more expensive this time and not as nice so I didn't buy any. I do recall that the lady that sold me them last year was quite elderly so maybe she is not as fit as she was or no longer with us now...

The tea was great though! A really fresh and invigorating brew and the choccie biscuits were nice. I would have LOVED to have had a go in the raffle but it was not to be drawn until about 1pm and as I have lots of things to do at this time of year ( Reindeers to train & feed, Sleigh to get through another M.O.T etc) I wasn't going to be able to be there at that time. This is a common problem for me and spoils my enjoyment of a lot of Christmas Fairs. I know that you can write your name and number on the back of your tickets but I like to be able to choose my own prize if I win and you have to arrange to go and collect your prize from the venue as well, which can be tricky.

I DID get something (or someone!) that I LOVE at the Fair though and hope to get them to make a special appearance with me on the Jeff Belton Christmas Show on Conquest Hospital Radio on Christmas Eve! More about that in future posts! (lol)

Photo by Keith Leech

The next Christmas Fair I hope to get to is next Saturday the 23rd of November. It's the BIG ONE for me at St Clements Church in High Street and so I shall hope to pick up some wonderful cards and gifts there! I often 'bump into' people I only ever see at that event as well (hi Paul Bryant!) and am hoping that will be the case again this year so we can share a cuppa and a cake or something and have a good natter. The raffle at St Clements is always a good one but I have never won anything (yet) - mainly though I suspect because I am hard to catch by phone so even if I do win and they try to reach me I probably won't be in at the right time! Maybe this year I will try and stay to the end so that I can see the raffle drawn live!

Lastly, November the 30th sees the annual Christmas Fair at The Holy Redeemer in Upper Church Rd take place. That's another Fair I usually attend. It's not always been great for me as far as 'finding a bargain or a gift for someone' goes but the atmosphere is ALWAYS Christmassy and there are plenty of stalls of all sorts!

If you see me at any of the above do say hello!