The early morning of the Christmas Fayre on Saturday 9th November was fine and dry as stallholders set up their tables to get ready for the 10am opening. The footfall was better than ever this year with 437 people coming through the door to browse and enjoy the great range of stalls downstairs in the big dining room, the popular Bric-a-Brac tables and the large Book Stall. Upstairs the Café ladies in their jolly aprons did their usual brisk business serving coffee, tea, hot chocolate and delicious homemade cakes. The Wheel of Fortune did brisk business with a record number of prizes, and tickets went like hotcakes. In the absence of both Commodore and Vice Commodore, Lisa Rochford made a point of thanking all involved in the work putting the Fayre together through the year and on the day, and then she spun the Wheel of Fortune to reveal the lucky colour – over 150 prizes were won.
Also upstairs were the representatives of the 2024 Fundraising Team’s charities – Mountbatten Hampshire and Sophie’s Appeal – plus tables for the RNLI and Hamble Lifeboat. Club insignia clothing and Club Christmas cards were also displayed for sale, and as always the very popular Mary’s Chocolate stall!
The Fundraising Team is as always hugely grateful to all the amazing volunteers who gave their time, in many cases, several hours over 2 days, helping our inexhaustible Team members to raise over £6,000 during the day. This big public event would not happen without all those volunteers and our thanks to all of them are sincere.
Thanks are also due to those Club members and local shops/businesses who donated gifts to the Wheel of Fortune, and all the people who donated Books and Bric-a-Brac items.
We would also like to say a big Thank You to the Club staff teams who worked behind the scenes accommodating our requests whilst attending to their usual duties, particularly as many of them are fairly new to the Club and so the whole thing was new to them ! Their contribution to the smooth running of the Fayre is vital to its success,
It was an excellent event with a very happy atmosphere throughout the day – well done everyone and thanks again from all of us on the Fundraising Team team.