ENTHUSIASM and co-operation shown by the many helpers who worked amicably together in preparation for and at the actual sale was mainly responsible for the successful financial result of the annual bazaar held in aid of the funds of St Mary’s Church on Saturday.

The Palmer Hall was temporarily transformed into an emporium where goods and articles of every description, many made for the occasion and all given generously, were displayed attractively on five laden stalls.

Evidence of the goodwill between church and chapel people in Fairford was shown by the presence of the Rev D J Wathan and many of his congregation. They were among the exceptionally large crowd who flocked into the hall before the bazaar was opened by Lady Howard of Penrith who was presented with a large box of chocolates by seven-year-old Caroline Jury on behalf of all the helpers.

The vicar, the Rev E Keble said “Fairford is known all over England for its beautiful church and we in this deanery are proud to be associated with it. We all have to maintain our churches and a bazaar offers great opportunities for everyone to work together.”

Eager purchasers then immediately rushed to secure the best bargains. At the laden produce stall, piles of apples, vegetables, jams preserved fruit, home made cakes, pot plants and flowers were in great demand from Mrs A T Cutler, Mrs R Hickman, Mrs G Lusty and Miss B Whiteman. At the adjoining stall, hand made woollen goods, knitted articles, needlework, glassware, cosmetics and perfumes soaps were quickly sold by Mrs Walter Jones, Mrs H Shuttlewood, Mrs M Sumner, Mrs D Douglass and Miss D Bracher.

Lovely toys of all description, some made at the Infant School, were sold by Miss L M Cox and Miss E Hayes.

On another stall, stacks of useful clothing, curtains rugs and blankets and household requisites were sold by Mrs R Cole, Mrs H Hedges, Mrs l Harrison, Mrs O L Richmond and Miss K Winser.

Mrs Kemble presided at the bran tub and was surrounded by children eager to have a go.

Miss Margaret Norman and her choirboys came into the picture as well. They presided at a stall on which was displayed an assortment of toys, calendars, tinned foods, books and miscellaneous articles. And the boys proved as efficient in salesmanship as in their singing.

Everyone seemed to be lending a hand in some way or another. Children from the Coln House School ran their own sideshows, Miss M Elliott and Miss Bracher and others organised competitions with a large iced cake, an electric table lamp a dressed doll and other articles as prizes.

For two hours the hall was a veritable hive of industry which brought a smile to the faces of the churchwarden, Mr Hedges.

After the hurly-burly jostle and excitement of the sale, a cup of tea with mincepies and cakes was more than welcome.

The ladies who supplied this were Mrs N Bartlett, Mrs G Morley and Mrs Godwin.

All the stallholders reported good business and treasurer Mrs H Shuttlewood took great pleasure in announcing that the net proceeds amount to £72.

Standard, November 27, 1954