THE Sandford Craft Fair held on Saturday, November 17 in Sandford Parish Hall was a lively and very well attended event.

It provided a perfect opportunity for Christmas shopping, with 37 stalls in the hall, the craft fair café, craft raffle and the very popular Children’s Craft Activities on the stage area.

The earlier start time of 11am introduced last year, worked well, giving customers a chance to have a Crediton Coffee Company coffee and piece of home-made cake before starting their Christmas shopping.

The café, organised by Alison Archibald and Cathy Webb, remained busy through lunch and afternoon teas until the raffle was called at 3.30pm.

The raffle itself had more than 20 quality craft and gift prizes supplied by the stallholders.

The children’s craft activities was organised by Jo Mcculloch with a small team of helpers, including eight young volunteers who helped the little ones to make beeswax candles, decorated tea light holders, Christmas decorations, bookmarks and badges.

Jo introduced the beeswax candle making and another Sandford parent, Hiromi Wilks, ran an origami session. The Sandford Craft Fair Scarecrow, The Big Friendly Giant, from the Playgroup’s summer Scarecrow Trail also made an appearance.

The stalls were selling local hand-made arts, craft and gifts. This year the stalls included glass, ceramics, leather, wood and metal work, textiles, felt work, baby clothes, art, prints, photography and cards, jewellery, hand-made soaps, Christmas pudding and chutneys, locally pressed apple juice, local honey and beeswax.

Sandford resident, Michael Lee, also had his own little stall selling and signing his book "Dowrich – the story of an old Devon house and its farm" - so something for everyone.

The event was a great success and raised £1,623.

Friends of Sandford School is to receive £1,000 and Sandford Playgroup £200, for creative projects including trips, workshops and materials.

Sandford Toddler Group is to receive £50 for new equipment and toys, this year’s fundraising focus, Nepal-ease, a local charity based in Bow, to receive £350 and the remaining £23 will go towards creative activities at The Memory Café held at Crediton Age Concern.

Bindy Saywood, the event organiser, said: “I would like to say a big thank you to all this year’s volunteers, including Sandford School’s head teacher, Lois Briard, who helped in the kitchen.

"The event is now in its 33rd year.

"It is the volunteers, along with the large number of people who attend each year, that help to make Sandford Craft Fair a very special community fundraising event each year."