St James church Xmas Fair - excellent!

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 25 Nov 2006, 13:23

Just got back from St James church Xmas Fair which runs from 11 - 2 today.

First class event from start to finish, organized with a dedication and practiced efficiency they should be proud of.

Plenty of volunteers plus a well-rehearsed formula gave a streamlined Xmas fair experience - these people could make a fortune on the motivation circuit although they're far too nice for that.

They'll make their money - it would be interesting to find out the final total.

We hit it right as it opened and it was very busy. I went to the bookstall and Mrs Dadaist & Neo-Dadaist went to the home baking. Both very cheap and a nice selection, but the good stuff always goes first as everyone knows.

The stalls will make money, but St James obviously know their punters because the real powerhouse of this fete is the catering. They are dishing out toasties, apple pie, and 4 kinds of soup (fish soup, carrot & coriander, lentil & bacon and broth). It was well-staffed.

My tipping point into being genuinely impressed came when, during the brief time we were seated (milk, sugar, small plate of biscuits and real flower in bud-vase on table) someone came and topped up the biscuits.

5 star service. Hats off to you St James.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 02 Dec 2006, 14:41

Two down and one to go.

I did St John's School Fair this morning with my son, where I met Dadaist, Beachbabe and neo-dadaist, who is growing into a real wee heartbreaker. The two Matthews had a very serious discussion on the merits of the PS3 v's the Wii while neo-daaist and I compared sore fingers and elastoplasts. Beachbabe, I'm glad to report, is also looking very well.

After a wee break, when we ate some of this morning's purchases, we headed for the Town Hall and the Dog and Cat Home Fair where we bought a Christmas stocking for our cat Marco. My son also entered the tombola. Out of the 4 tickets he picked, 3 were winners, so a very satisfactory fair.

Next, the Craft Fair and the pottery demonstration at the Community Centre

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 02 Dec 2006, 17:14

That's a fine string of local events.

It was, as usual, my honour and privilege to knock heads.

Beach Babe was (still is) laughing at me because up to today I'd never heard the "insert" lines to Rudolph where you sing "like a lightbulb" just after "you would even say it glows".

Sheltered life I guess.

For anyone that wasn't there, the St John's Fair was a stormer - my first one, plus first time in the building.

There was a brass band at one end of the hall, and a junior vocal group in the gym serving up Xmas hits while you had your tea/coffee/juice and one of 2 types of mince pie (shortcrust or puff - we had puff).

The junior vocal group excelled themselves. Those 4 conquered their stage nerves quickly - if they ever had any - and started belting them out, each song introduced by their manager (I'm guessing he's in their class).

We left with a selection of sweeties, a small yellow plastic ring, and some home baking (lemon slices).

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 02 Dec 2006, 17:59

Dadaist wrote:The junior vocal group excelled themselves. Those 4 conquered their stage nerves quickly - if they ever had any - and started belting them out, each song introduced by their manager (I'm guessing he's in their class).

One of the singing stars was Jackie Brock's daughter.

Craft Fair was really good. I bought a couple of things and would have bought some more but swithered too long and they were gone by the time I returned to the various stalls. I'm already looking forward to the next one. Thought I might have seen Rapunzell but failed to spot her.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 02 Dec 2006, 18:26

Reminded by Marya's post, I went along to the Craft Fair as well. Very busy with lots of interesting stalls and met lots of people I knew. Emily and I then went to watch a demo by local potter, Alison Robinson (she of the Coade Stone pillars fame). Alison is hoping to start up pottery classes in the New Year for people of all ages. PM me if you want details.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 03 Dec 2006, 12:33

And it gets better. Following on from my son's tombola triumph we found out today that he also won a prize in the St John's raffle - a meal for two at 'The Dalriada'

I'm going to get him to choose my National lottery numbers next week

Cleopas · Post by **Cleopas** » 03 Dec 2006, 12:53

I was at a Christmas Fair in town a few years ago and I remember they had childrens choirs singing. I liked that. Not so much the Xmas tat ... just the joy of children with sweet voices raised in song ... it raised the hairs on the back of my neck! Didn't matter about the subject matter ... it was just the sound of true notes being hit with a crystal clarity that gets lost as they get older. Such a shame.

Then in the cafe end, there was a kid who had OCD I think. He was singing nothing but "Jingle Bells Jingle Bells Jingle Bells Jingle Bells Jingle Bells Jingle Bells Jingle Bells Jingle Bells Jingle Bells Jingle Bells Jingle Bells Jingle Bells Jingle Bells Jingle Bells ...." I coulda throttled him happily!

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 06 Dec 2006, 17:34

Marya wrote:Beachbabe, I'm glad to report, is also looking very well.

She's definitely not under that rose bed then?

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 06 Dec 2006, 18:13

Epykat wrote:
Marya wrote:Beachbabe, I'm glad to report, is also looking very well.
She's definitely not under that rose bed then?

You've read my controversial guide "how to move house using the internet" then. It involves disposal of your existing family. I remember explaining it to Marya and Ecm at a POL do and being met with stony silence.

I really need some sort of satire warning light system not only on here but in real life - like a red light bulb above my head maybe.

Cleopas · Post by **Cleopas** » 06 Dec 2006, 18:23

I know someone who can fit that for you, Dada!!!

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 06 Dec 2006, 22:27

Marya wrote:
Dadaist wrote:The junior vocal group excelled themselves. Those 4 conquered their stage nerves quickly - if they ever had any - and started belting them out, each song introduced by their manager (I'm guessing he's in their class).
One of the singing stars was Jackie Brock's daughter.

Craft Fair was really good. I bought a couple of things and would have bought some more but swithered too long and they were gone by the time I returned to the various stalls. I'm already looking forward to the next one. Thought I might have seen Rapunzell but failed to spot her.

Arg, have spent most of the month ill in bed, so have missed all the tempting festive spending sprees! Porty seems to have the best selection this year too.

teddygirl · Post by **teddygirl** » 06 Dec 2006, 23:04

Hope you are feeling better now, Rapunzell.

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 06 Dec 2006, 23:35

teddygirl wrote:Hope you are feeling better now, Rapunzell.

Aw, thank you! I am still mainly horizontal but I have just installed wireless for my laptop now so can still keep an eye on Porty goings ons