Here at the newsletter, we find ourselves saying it again and again, but here goes…
WOW, Camber, you did it again!!
Camber’s Christmas Fayre on 23rd November at the Memorial Hall, along with lighting up the Christmas tree on Jubilee Green, was another spectacular community event! With the untimely arrival of Storm Bert, the team was concerned that not many people would venture out on the day but we needn’t have worried – Camber folk are a hardy ol’ bunch and we are used to going out in high winds! It was wonderful to see so many residents, visitors and businesses there, young and old, supporting the event and creating a fun-filled afternoon with an atmosphere of joy and friendliness!
CCG has received so many lovely comments and feedback about how enjoyable the afternoon was, and how it had lifted peoples’ spirits. There certainly were some good vibes going on and it was a treat to see so many happy, smiling faces!
CCG would like to thank all the charities, organisations, traders and individuals who came along with their stalls and stands to provide an array of goods for everyone’s enjoyment. Raffle prizes were very generously donated by villagers and village businesses. Thank you to The Gallivant, Rye Players, Pontins, Nisa, the Rye Bay Café, The Camber Castle, BJ’s on the Beach, Camber Residents Association, Camber Active Friends, and to the numerous camber residents who donated some very generous prizes, both for the raffle and the tombola! CCG would also like to thank the Camber Memorial Hall Committee for helping to facilitate the event, including decorating the hall beautifully with garlands, banners, Christmas trees and light-up candy canes!
Camber Community Group offered a craft table where children were able to decorate Christmas crackers and crowns, as well as a raffle, tombola, pick-a-ticket, treasure chest game, a £1-shop selling all things Christmassy, Camber calendars, home-made wreaths, plants, and mulled wine with mince pies. The book stall also offered games, toys and jigsaws – all free with a collection box if anyone wanted to make a voluntary donation. There were stalls selling knitwear, sweets, hand-made gifts, decorations and candles, plant displays, hand-made cakes, hats and scarves, games – including Guess the Name of the Teddy – along with a tombola table in aid of Ambulance Ukraine. Gaz Jones hosted a photo booth for portraits and kindly acted as official photographer for the event. Delicious refreshments were served from the kitchen by Camber Residents Association. A real community event – it was an excellent afternoon, filled with laughter and good cheer!
Thanks, and applause, are also due to those who provided the entertainment for the afternoon. Stefan Charles sang to us and ad-libbed, in his inimitable style, through any technical hitches, and managed to get the audience to join in with the singing, karaoke-style! The compere, Superstar DJ Ian, mingled with the crowds, keeping everyone informed of what was happening, and playing some groovy Christmas tunes for everyone to sing along to.
Half way through the afternoon, and after much anticipation, Father Christmas arrived. He popped in to chat to the children and hand out early Christmas gifts. He was ably assisted by a young elf called Nat. As Santa is very busy at this time of year, he had to make sure the presents were delivered in advance of his visit, so thanks must go to the Security Team at Pontins for helping to make sure that all went smoothly!
After the fayre, everyone moved outside onto Jubilee Green to see the tree lit up. This year’s tree was kindly donated by Camber Parish Council again and they oversaw its installation and decoration. As the weather was so atrocious, the lighting up was a fairly swift affair this year and everyone rushed back indoors to escape the gales! Despite the lack of ceremony, the tree is there for us all to enjoy throughout the Christmas season.
Preparations for the event began back in September with lots of work going on behind the scenes. So many people helped to make the day special – from giving up their time in the run-up and on the day, to providing treats, sweets and prizes. Well done to everyone in the Camber Community Group team who worked so hard to put it all together! The day raised a whopping £700 for the Camber Community Newsletter and £100 for the Camber Residents Association!
Here, at the newsletter team, we are blown away by this! There are so many people to thank – too many to list individually – but, the biggest thanks must go to all of YOU for creating a day full of smiles and laughter!
