Saturday November 30th saw this year’s Beech Christmas Fayre off to a flying start. There were 21 different stall holders squeezed into a festive looking hall, with a wonderful array of different crafts and gifts on sale.
Tables groaning with cushions, Sally Cox and her students all selling their paintings, Medstead’ s interesting Paper Furniture, books, cards, George Gate’s lovely local photographs, Gayle Bicknell, head of fabric at Alton College, had some glorious bags, lampshades and other items made from her own printed fabrics. There were several tables of jewellery, always a winner at Christmas time, Mike Bush’s distinctive pottery, and sadly the last time David Comely will be selling his turned wood products, as he is leaving the area.
There were Aloe Vera potions, and 2 girls raising money for their foreign adventure, Charlotte Ward sold out of her delicious cakes in aid of her VSO project. Stella Charman and Verity Bonwitt ran a tombola with all prizes made in Uganda, and they raised enough to buy 50 mosquito nets for the Providence Children’s Home, and were delighted with the generosity and interest shown by everyone in the work of their two charities.
The smell of bacon being cooked pervaded the hall and hungry shoppers and stall-holders were able to refuel on bacon rolls, coffee and flapjacks. There was Christmas music in the background, and with the buzz of everyone getting in the mood for Christmas shopping, it all made for a really enjoyable event!