St Faith's Hitchin at the Walsworth Festival 2011

The Walsworth Festival, held on Sunday 22nd May, was a tremendous success on several fronts for St. Faith’s. Yet again the weather proved to be a challenge for those on Walsworth Common. Two years ago we were coping with downpours, last year a mini heatwave, and this year an extremely breezy day with rain showers!

The day began for some at 8.00am at St. Faith’s as we loaded tables into Mark Russell’s Landrover, and toys, books and bric-a-brac into a variety of cars. Tim Goose was already on the Common with a car loaded from top to bottom with boxes of toys. After putting up the tables (16 in all!) the fun began, as June Andrews and I attempted to arrange the toys, books and bric-a-brac, and Margaret Harmer and Rosina Turner the sewing and knitting, interrupted by flying cushions. Unfortunately this took longer than usual, as we spent a considerable amount of time chasing cushions and assorted toys across the Common!

Meanwhile Tim Goose put up a gazebo and then took it down again after realising that there was no way that it would stay up. In addition, we attempted to cover everything with sheets of polythene during the passing rain showers.

During the day our stalls were incredibly busy with a large number of customers, many of whom we involved in picking up flying goods! Surprisingly, we sold a large number of baby toys to the owners of the ferrets taking part in the Ferret Racing! A record breaking amount of £544.38 was raised selling toys, books, bric-a-brac and jewelry, and sewing and knitting. The toy emporium totalled £340.24 and the sewing and knitting £100.00.

Thanks are due to all who stood behind the stalls, some all-day long, and special thanks to those who helped at the beginning and end of the day - to Mark Russell, Tim Goose, Robin Gardner, June, Brenda, Allison, Margaret, Rosina and myself. It was very satisfying to put considerably fewer boxes back into the loft at St. Faith’s. However, a few of us suffered the next day or two from wind-burnt cheeks!

Over at St. Faith’s there was a wide variety of entertainment on offer, ranging from art displays from Purwell and Mary Exton Schools to singing, dancing and folk music. St. Faith’s own Rose Norris and Philip Mitchell provided the final performances. Meanwhile, Joan Worboys and Carolyn Kisby did brick trade on the Cake Stall, raising £93.00. Delicious cream teas and gateaux were devoured by many and raised £240.00. These were organised by Brenda Gardner with here band of busy helpers, especially Avril Dunford and Caroline Sharpe.

Finally, at the back of church, Mavis Duffin and Eve Howe sold all the beautiful flower arrangements created by several ladies, ably led by Mavis, on Saturday morning. These made £170.00 for Christian Aid, the previous week being Christian Aid week.

Finally, yet again it was wonderful for St. Faith’s to be such a visible presence on the Common and at Church. The GRAND TOTAL FOR 2011 was £877.38 !!! A big round of applause is due to all those who worked so hard to achieve this tremendous result. It was certainly a day of fellowship and fundraising in true St. Faith’s style!

Thanks for all of this is due to the hard work of Penny Mitchell, Chair of the small Festival Committee.