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: