FESTIVE FARINGDON - “FANTASTIC”


Festive Faringdon first-time visitor’s exclamation “fantastic” when speaking of her family’s experience of the event before Christmas says it all. The festive fun atmosphere enjoyed by a large and happy crowd and other excited comments on Facebook and similar illustrates the impact that the Rotary Club has on people’s lives.


I watched mostly the reactions of families who visited the Corn Exchange, where the exhibitors and stall holders were fully busy for over 2 hours: the WI Market stall members supplying refreshments of all kinds, the wood carver selling lovely Christmas presents and charity stalls boosting their funds. The total income for the Rotary Club may have been a satisfactory sum, but the total takings were probably ten- fold greater. Many more people will benefit


from the charity of the local people. But above all, it was a social event where friends and families could stroll and smile and dream.


Trailblazers sold out of all their tickets and offers to “name the Bear”, having been busy for nearly three hours. There was never a time when the stall was empty of punters for the Tombola and Guess the Lego pieces in a jar. This was won by a student of Faringdon College, who calculated the number of pieces so precisely that she was within 8 pieces in a total of over 1600. The future of the world is in competent hands of the students. One lesson Trailblazers learnt was that items in great demand can be sold for bigger prices. They had fun but could have made more for their chosen charity “Dogs for Good”. However, it is fair to say, that Trailblazers choice of charity was smart. It was one of three Christmas charities chosen by “The Times”. Well done Trailblazers.


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