Stall holders take on fayre

Fleet Art and Gift Fayre is returning this month thanks to two stall holders.

The event has been running at St Mary Magdelene Church for 15 years but due to the youngest volunteer being 70 and eldest being 92, discussions were held not to run it again.

However Julie Turner of Pandora’s Box has teamed up with Caroline Sullivan who runs the Children’s Discount Books Stall. to take it on.

It takes place at the Fleet church on October 28-30. The Friday night is a preview night from 7pm-9pm before it opens 10am-4pm over the weekend.

Julie said: “I have attended every event with my jewellery, Pandora’s Box, and for the last ten years have organised the craft stalls and the church volunteers have arranged the art display.

“With it possibly closing the logical thing was for myself and my friend Caroline Sullivan to take over the organising of this successful event.

“We have decided, off the back of this next year, to set up an events company and organise more local events, to give small businesses opportunities to sell locally and affordably, each of these events we aim to donate some money to a local charity.

“The Fleet art event will showcase over 100 paintings by artists of all ages and we have a great selection of stalls selling everything from jewellery, leather to cheese.

“The usual church volunteers will still be there selling their jams, cakes and running the refreshments, as well as the raffle to help raise much needed funds for this stunningly beautiful church.”