"What a great way to start Christmas", someone commented, as the tenth Wrington Dickensian Christmas Fair opened in December.
And, judging by the size and enthusiasm of the crowd, for many it really did get the village Christmas celebrations off to a great start. 'A good time: a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time.' This was what Dickens described as the 'Carol Philosophy'. Dickens' name in fact had become so synonymous with Christmas that on hearing of his death in 1870 a little costermonger girl in
London asked, "Mr Dickens dead? Does this mean Father Christmas will die too?"
Back in 2001, we developed the idea of an open air celebration, to bring the community together for an evening of free entertainment, with festive stalls, food and drink, all cumulating in the lighting of the village Christmas tree. Ten years on the Fair has gone from strength to strength, and is for many a fine way to mark the beginning of their Christmas celebrations.
Special thanks go to Jason and James of the Plough Inn for hosting the event again, and to Wrington Parish Council for their support and sponsorship. Also, big thanks to the 49 Club members, whose generosity every year has helped fund the event, and to all the stall holders, a record number this year too, who create such a marvellous atmosphere with their festive produce, and dressing-up for the occasion.
A huge thank you to the Weston Salvation Army Band, Barley Rye, Churchill Junior Gospel Choir, Alphonse Daudet Touna with the Wringbeats, and Joyful Spirit who all provided some great live open air entertainment. Thanks too to Dave Gale for our traditional 'Later with....' festive singalong in the Plough Inn, with a cheery and energised crowd enjoying many much loved traditional and contemporary Christmas songs and Carols: a fitting end to a great Christmas night out.
The organising team of Simon and Chris Philips, Gary and Marian Clements, David and Colette Dunning, Barry Sale and myself would also like to say many thanks to all of you involved in helping and supporting the event, and special mention to DT Structures, Nick Baker, Richard Kingcott and Lenny McGrath. We just couldn't do it without you.
I've had enormous fun, being part of this great community event for the past 10 years, in such a resourceful village, but with other commitments coming up, I am stepping down from the organising committee. We are looking for more volunteers and a new
chairman for 2012, so if you would like to get involved, please don't hesitate to contact me or one of the other members of the team.
Happy New Year
John Rubidge
on behalf of the organising team
01934 863138 / mobile 0751 528
3383 or email Rubidge7@aol.com
