Christmas fair to be cancelled?

THE organisers of Nailsea’s popular Christmas fair are warning that the event could be cancelled this year if more volunteers fail to come forward.

The committee needs at least another 10 people to help organise the spectacle, but so far nobody has signed up.

Acting chairman Gilly Chu said: “We had our annual meeting on Wednesday and nobody from the community turned up, apart from the people who have always been involved.

“We have all got really busy lives and we can’t do it all on our own. There’s every likelihood that this year the Christmas fair will be cancelled if more people don’t come forward.

“We’re not asking people to give any money, just devote a little bit of time to help organise the event. It’s a sad reflection on the community when we don’t have enough people to help out.”

The Christmas fair is hugely popular with residents and visitors to Nailsea who enjoy the street entertainment, a wide array of stalls, fairground rides and live music.

Father Christmas also pays a visit to excited youngsters and many businesses stay open late so customers can pick up some festive gifts.

More than 8,000 people attended the event last year, which his held in the High Street and Somerset Square.

Mrs Chu said: “During the past three years I’ve been involved in the fair it has gone from strength to strength. People come and tell us what a wonderful time they have had.

“If people want to see the Christmas fair go ahead this year then they really must think whether they can actually donate some of their time and some of their skills.”

Organisers meet once every eight weeks until September, then meetings are held monthly. From mid November organisers meet once a week until the fair, which in total adds up to around 30 hours a year.

The committee, which is currently made up of just nine people, has already raise enough money to hold the event but it is now appealing for volunteers.

Anyone interested in helping out can go along to the next meeting on April 12 at Gilly’s Cafe, in Nailsea High Street, at 6pm. To find out more email Gilly at gillyscafe@gmail.com