THE SPORTS hall at Churcher’s College was transformed into a sparkling shopping mall as Petersfield’s Save the Children branch held its popular gift fair.
The hall was buzzing for the preview event last Thursday, which included an official opening by antiques expert David Ford, from television’s Dickinson’s Real Deal and Secret Dealers, and a Rock Choir flash mob, made up of singers from the Petersfield, Waterlooville and Havant branches, who entertained the crowds.
The Mayor of Petersfield, Cllr Hilary Ayer, and deputy mayor Cllr Lesley Farrow also attended the preview, which attracted 250 people.
But shopping was the main focus of the fair with enthusiastic buyers surrounding the 45 stalls, which were selling goods not usually available on the high street.
These ranged from clothes for adults and children, books, gifts, jewellery, baskets, and homeware accessories to food and drink such as pies and cheese, cakes, French food and gin.
Many stallholders, who contributed ten percent of their takings to the charity, had come long distances, including from Birmingham, Suffolk and Somerset.
Their efforts added to the proceeds from the raffle and cafe run by Save the Children volunteers, which contributed to the total £11,018 raised through the two-day fair.
Branch chairman Prue Rushmer said: “We are beyond grateful to the headmaster of Churcher’s College, Simon Williams, for the use of the hall, and to our business sponsors, many of whom provided practical help, including Littlejohn bathrooms, Meon Valley Travel, Arnolds, Williams and Henry Adams, as well as our 180 volunteers who worked tirelessly.”