Summary of Community Fayre 2017

Showcasing local causes and local support for a second year

Our second annual Community Fayre  at Nazareth House Westcliff-on-Sea took place on Saturday 21st October and as well as some familiar faces, we were also able to host a few new local charities and groups who brought their unique talents and services for all to see.

The ethos of the day was once again to present to the local community a range of local charities, local support groups, and local businesses who both serve and work in Southend. This was to give each exhibitor present some exposure to the public but also a chance to network and see what others are up to.

This year we did not have Sainsburys as an exhibitor mainly due to a lack of time but they did help with some of the items for the main prize which again was a #fairtrade hamper which when finished, contained almost £35 worth of #fairtrade items in a sturdy cardboard box that I was able to recycle and decorate to make an attractive hamper to use. All the other prizes in the raffle were #fairtrade too from a bottle of wine, bunch of roses, large box of maltesers, green and black chocolate selection and a #fairtrade tote bag from CAFOD to carry two jars of jam and a jar of marmalade; all #fairtrade of course along with much of the refreshments served!

The fairtrade raffle prizes

We were delighted this year to welcome the Mayor of Southend, Councillor Fay Evans to officially open the Fayre and to meet and speak to all of the exhibitors which was a very worthwhile exercise for all involved.

We also had a visit from Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West who was pivotal in asking for the help of the Mayor when we presented a cheque for £840 to our hosts the Sisters of Nazareth to support the work they do in the community. This money was raised over the year through different activities we have run.

Mayor of Southend Councillor Fay helping to present a cheque to the Sisters of Nazareth

In the promotional work in the run up to the big day, I was invited to speak briefly on the Tony Fisher show on BBC Essex two days before the Fayre to outline what was involved. It was interesting to receive a call whilst at work to have a chat not knowing what I was going to be asked and with work colleagues close by curious about what was going on, it felt a little bizarre.

In conclusion it was an opportunity for Southend-on-Sea to come together as a community made possible by the wonderful exhibitors who put their names forward to support the days activity

The Exhibitors:

Essex Savers
Southend Soup
SVP - Sacred Heart branch
CAFOD Brentwood
The Hub Southend
Storehouse Direct
Alzheimer's Society
Havens Hospices
Catholic Clothing Guild
Brentwood Catholic Children's Society
Sisters of Nazareth House
Christians Against Poverty (CAP)
Serving the Homeless
Southend Older People's Assembly
Ace Lifestyle Southend
The Terrence Higgins Trust - Southend
Friends and Places Together
Southend in Transition
Knights of Saint Columba - Southend

Photo Gallery:

Supporting Tools With A Mission

Our Efforts to support the charity - Tools With A Mission

Some 21 months ago, we decided to help collect tools and equipment for Tools With A Mission or TWAM based in Ipswich. We had performed a similar exercise in years past through the efforts of Brother Brian, based at Saint John Fishers in Prittlewell. 

Last October, TWAM were present at our very first Community Fayre in 2016 when the public met them, took leaflets and even donated items on the day; a very nice sewing machine was one of the items handed over from memory.

TWAM at our Community Fayre in 2016

To hold an appeal that did not involve asking people for money was a refreshing change for once but not without its challenges. We lobbied several parishes of several denominations and individuals to come forward with items that they no longer required but for some people it was a task for when they got around to it. The logistics of organising a collection within parishes proved challenging also, with clashes with other appeals, clashes with similar projects already in progress and concerns about logistics and where would all items be stored before being collected.

We did receive support from across the Southend Borough though and in particular we had tremendous support from the parish of Saint Saviour's in Westcliff-on-Sea. They are a forward thinking parish brimming with ideas for recycling, helping others and bringing the community together all under the guidance of Revd Lee, so to have their support was both fantastic and reassuring.

Collected tools from Saint Saviours Westcliff-on-Sea

We put a very large sturdy cardboard box into Saint Saviours with a TWAM sign on the side which was overflowing with donations on collection and with other personal collections we simply stored items in our houses in readiness for the removal day. We also had donations of two sewing machines with materials and sewing accessories also from two very generous families from the parish of Saint George and the English Martyrs in Shoeburyness too which filled up an estate car with the seats down.

For our second Community Fayre last month, we made a table display with a sewing machine in the middle and several TWAM leaflets and newsletters to remind people of how they can help, and with the generous help from the parish of Sacred Heart, Southchurch, we were able to store every item collected in the parish garage for TWAM to send a van down from Ipswich to collect.

Tools in the garage waiting to go to TWAM

We hope the items help others less fortunate to grow and manage crops, make a living and support their families and community, and we are hoping to be able to give an idea of where exactly in the world the bulk of the tools collected end up.

Colin the driver in sunny Southend having loaded up at Sacred Heart, Southchurch

To find out more about TWAM visit their website at http://www.twam.uk/ or
follow them on twitter @TWAMGB or
via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toolswithamission

Standing room only in the van back to Ipswich