All The Fun Of The Fayre

Mike Smith looks forward to his seasonal visit to the Old Glossop Victorian Christmas Fayre

- Mike Smith

Anyone who is acquainted with the streets of Old Glossop from visits they have made in the past will be astonished by the unfamiliar scene that will greet them if they make a new visit to this ancient enclave on the afternoon of the first Sunday in December. The experience will be rather like coming home from work and opening the door of the house to be confronted by a large and noisy group of people who have gathered secretly to put on a surprise party.

Church Street, the main thoroughfare of the old town, which is normally so quiet, will be awash on that day with hundreds of people visiting the Old Glossop Victorian Christmas Fayre. With so many visitors jostling to obtain a closer look at the wares on display on the stalls, which will have been arranged along the entire length of Church Street, the tide of visitors will be flowing very slowly.

The hugely popular fayre has been a keenly anticipated pre-Christmas event ever since it was established six years ago by the Old Glossop Residents’ Association. David Scanlon, the Chairman of OGRA, said: ‘Most of the 36 stallholders who will sell their products at the fayre this year will be representatives of small local businesses or residents who are part of a very vibrant cottage industry in crafts and local products. Entertainment will include clog dancing from Milltown Cloggies, renditions by an ensemble from Dark Peak Brass and singing by Glossop Choral Society and the choir of All Saints School.’

David added: ‘The profits from this community-driven annual event are shared between Glossop Mountain Rescue, who bring Father Christmas to the fayre with them, and OGRA, who use some of the proceeds to put on a free lunch at the Queen’s Arms for isolated and vulnerable pensioners. The event is also partially funded by our local and district councils, and logistical support is provided by Arconic’s Glossop factory.’