A RECORD crowd packed into the town centre to enjoy all the fun of the fair at Haslemere Christmas Market last Sunday.

More than 10,000 visitors in search of Christmas gifts were spoilt for choice with just under 200 stalls lining the High Street and West Street, as well as in The Georgian Hotel offering Christmas crafts and gifts.

In addition to the Live Nativity staged at the museum, younger visitors could also take up the offer to meet Father Christmas in his Victorian parlour inside the museum, as well as having a go on the kids rides on offer in the town centre.

In a ‘first’ this year, Haslemere residents Beryl and Peter Bailey – founders of St Yared’s Trust – organised a programme of live music, provided by young Surrey musicians, Chiddingfold Flute group, Haslemere Community Choir and Brownie troops GirlGuide packs and Rainbow groups from the town.

Mrs Bailey said: “It was lovely for us, it opened up opportunities for young singers and instrumentalists. We had a very successful day and raised £500 for our charity, which supports The School of St Yared in Ethiopia to educate children with the skills they need to move out of poverty.”

Haslemere Events organiser Melanie Odell thanked Iain Lynch who has helped put on the market every year, and all the volunteers including those from Three Counties Church.