THE BUNTING, balloons and best china were out as Petersfield popped the kettle on for Macmillan.
Shops, businesses, cafes, and the town’s community centre, were a hive of activity as shoppers, customers and passers-by were welcomed in for coffee, cake and more.
The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning was the occasion, and Petersfield pulled out all the stops to embrace the event, and raise as much cash as possible for the cancer care charity.
It would have been a crime not to tuck into the mouth-watering array of cakes on offer at the offices of Mackarness and Lunt Solicitors in the High Street.
These had been made in a collective effort by the staff and included cakes flavoured with Guinness, and gin and tonic, as well as cupcakes, cookies, sponges, and a Smartie-covered cake created by apprentice Beth Puckett.
One of the organisers, Sam Small, said the event had got bigger and bigger each year.
“People will be streaming in and out all day, and we hope to get around a hundred visitors. We are really proud of what we have achieved and hope we can improve on it every year,” she said.
She was grateful to local businesses for their support.
Local Treasures in Lavant Street also had the green balloons out for Macmillan, and tempting treats on offer.
These included home-made brownies by general manager Lizzie Humphries-Powling, and a Victoria sponge brought in from the market where accountant and book keeper Sarah Morris also works.
Lizzie was keen to chat to people over a cuppa and to spread the word about Local Treasures, which matches up those with skills to those who need help.
“We wanted to open up our doors and invite people in for coffee and cake and to see what we are doing here,” she said. It was the first Macmillan coffee morning they had held.
Supporter Paul Luff, of Horndean, had dropped by on his way to the train station and appreciated the refreshments.
The shop community in Pages Court, off the High Street, had come together, with owners and staff contributing cakes and raffle prizes.
They had erected a bunting-festooned gazebo and Monoloco had lent chairs and tables to create an alfresco café area. Vintage china was brought out for the occasion.
Said Jenny Rawlins of Blue Tree boutique: “It’s been going really well. It’s a big joint effort with an amazing charity raffle.”
The shops involved, along with Monoloco and Blue Tree were: Regatta Room, Time to Be Me Beauty Salon, Rainbows, Butterflies Lingerie.