Wotton fair raises £3,800 for charity

The fair was held on Saturday, November 22, bringing 21 stalls together to raise money for a charity of their choice.

The event also celebrated its 19th year of hosting the annual event in the Civic Centre.

Charities included Cotswold Care Hospice, Hope for Tomorrow, Ladies Circle, Synwell Playing Field, Wotton in Bloom, Stroud Cats Protection and more.

Event organiser, Alison Sutton, said: ““We have had local and national charities here, and such a huge variety. People of all ages have come along to see who is here as it is a very sociable event. Everyone raising money is very passionate about their charity and it’s just great.

“It’s a good event because some charities are so small they can’t organise a fair on their own, so it’s a really good opportunity for them.”

The event requires stalls to pay £5 for the day to cover costs and every penny thereafter goes towards a charity.

A tombola was held to raise funds for the Julian Trust Night Shelter in Bristol and 20 Wotton scouts and 15 cubs sold homemade cakes and drinks to raise money for their groups.

The fair also saw pupils from Katharine Lady Berkeley’s School raising money for a school trip to Ecuador in July, to spend a month abroad doing community work and trekking in groups.

Fundraiser and trustee of the charity Help a Hedgehog hospital, Julien Crowther, said: “We’ve come here for several years and it’s always a really friendly event.

“Once again the Wotton Charities Fair was a successful event for Help a Hedgehog Hospital - with the stall and tombola raising over £200 for the care of the hedgehogs.”

Organiser Margaret Carruthers said: “There is such a variety of charities and they all take different amounts, as it’s all relative to them, which can range from £40 to £300 per stall. We utilise each room in the Civic Centre and move stalls around every year.

“This year we have taken £3800 in total and everyone was pleased with the amount they took, in such a good atmosphere too.”