Charmouth: Victorian Christmas night a success (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

Charmouth: Victorian Christmas night a success

10:26am Thursday 10th December 2009

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CHRISTMAS officially arrived in Charmouth as the village hosted its second festive street fayre.

Not even the rain could dampen the Christmas spirit last Thursday as residents celebrated with a Victorian-themed evening.

The second Charmouth Christmas Fayre has been hailed a great success, beating last year’s profits with more than £1,000 raised for local organisations.

Parish council chairman Mallory Haytor officially opened the event by switching on the village’s Christmas lights.

Phil Tritton, chairman of organisers the Charmouth Traders’ Association, said: “The Christmas lights were new last year, which all the residents really appreciated.

“The event went extremely well and we raised well over £1,000 for local causes, which was the main objective.”

Local causes are asked to put forward bids for any projects they would like help funding, and the association will decide how the money should be distributed at its next meeting in January.

“It’s a great thing just to bring the village together for something like this,” said Mr Tritton.

“There is the Charmouth Fayre in the summer but that really is more for the visitors – this particular event is more for local people and that’s what Charmouth Traders’ Association wants to encourage.

“It was a shame about the weather but despite that, we did much better than last year. It was only the second time it has been done and talking to people in the village that go back many decades, it had never been done until last year.

“We were very pleased people enjoyed last year and came back this year.”

All the presents handed out to children from Santa (John Stamp) were donated by local stores, which stayed open late for shoppers to buy their Christmas gifts.

Stallholders from in and around the village set up on The Street and local organisations including the brownies and cubs ran their own stalls for free and will keep the profits.

A barbecue, mulled wine and mince pies, live music, and the Charmouth Companions’ Victorian dress all added to the festive atmosphere.

At St Andrew’s Church was a sale of ‘used’ paintings and artifacts dug out from attics and for sale to a good home. Art from the Attic, organised by the Golden Cap Team ministry, raised £550.

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