Christmas comes early for Rushall group

They are part of a group that is planning a festive fair in the middle of October.

It might all seem a little early, but the money raised from the event will be used to pay for a village Christmas tree when the big event actually arrives.

Ann and Lynne are members of Rushall Development Group, which is planning the fair on Saturday, October 21, between 11am and 2pm.

There will be stalls, games, homemade cakes on offer, a raffle and tombola among other attractions to get people in the festive mood. It is hoped the event, which is free to attend, will once again raise the £300 needed to fund the 25ft tree that will be put up outside the former library during the first week of December. The week before Christmas carol singers gather around the tree in what is a fondly held tradition in the village.

This year that will take place on Friday, December 15.

Mike Blakemore, chairman of the development group, said: “It is very important that we are able to pay for the Christmas tree.

“We put it up right in the middle of the village. The council do not give us any money for it and we have to raise it ourselves. Although the council do give us the lights to put on it and every year we have carol singers around the tree the week before Christmas.We tend to do very well at the fair.

“Every year we manage to raise enough money. We have being doing it for nine or 10 years now.”

Mr Blakemore explained the objectives of the group.

He said: “We aim to keep Rushall on the map and develop new ideas and activities for the future.

“It is an historic village, it was mentioned in the Domesday Book.

“We just try and preserve the history as well as look to the future to see how we can develop as a community.”