CHRISTMAS FAIR

CHICHESTER HARBOUR ROTARY CLUB’S ANNUAL CHRISTMAS FAIR

Chichester Harbour Rotary Club held its now annual fundraising Christmas Fair at the Assembly Rooms in Chichester on Saturday 22 November 2025.

Despite the inclement weather, the event was a great success. There was a steady flow of customers through the doors all morning (in this regard, special thanks go to the hardy individuals who braved the rain to direct shoppers on North Street into the venue), and visitors were met with festive cheer and a warm welcome from the many volunteer helpers from our Rotary Club who were ‘manning’ the various stalls.

Available for keen shoppers to purchase on the day were beautifully made Christmas gifts and decorations on the craft stall; jewellery, scarves, handbags and cushions; books and jigsaws in abundance; assorted bric-a-brac; and jars of home-made marmalade and chutney. Additionally, there was a tombola with a large array of lovely prizes (including quite a few bottles guaranteed to bring festive cheer!) for adults, and last – but certainly not least – a ‘wonderful’ display of home-made cakes to be enjoyed with a warming cup of tea or coffee.

For the younger visitors there was a teddy tombola, and (naturally!) presiding over it all was Santa Claus and his cheery Elf helper. Sadly, for “elf” and safety reasons, Santa’s reindeers were unable to accompany them on the day.

Proceeds from the Fair totalled £1226, which will be used to support those in need in our local community.

Jean Hardstaff (Christmas Fair Co-ordinator)

POSTCRIPT

In other news, Chichester Harbour Rotary Club members Therese Brook and Mary Turner attended a Craft Fair held the same morning in Aldwick, Bognor Regis, where they oversaw a stall selling Christmas gifts and decorations. The proceeds from their stall added a further £227 to our Club’s charity funds, and so all in all it was a good morning’s work, raising almost £1500 to support the excellent work that our Rotary Club does year-round in the local community.