STILL growing after 32 years, the annual Haslemere Charities Fair was swelled by nine new charities and raised more than £4,000 for good causes.

“That was a pretty good amount for one morning, I’m very pleased for the 28 charities involved,” said Dianne Bennett, who has organised all 32 events at Haslemere Hall.

“One of the most gratifying things was having nine new charities.

“That’s an all-time record and it proves the fair is still an attractive proposition. I hope we can carry on for many more years.

“I was there for my pet charity BLISS, which supports premature babies and I was able to raise a lot of money for it.

“We also had four craftspeople with stalls, which was a bonus.

“We had local author and amazing grandmother Tess Burrow, who has spent the last 10 years doing extreme challenges as a peace campaigner.

“She has just written a book about dragging a tyre containing messages of peace to the top of Kilimanjaro and was selling her books.

“She said she had had a wonderful morning and raised £300 to send to Tibet to rebuild schools destroyed by the earthquake.

“Another lovely thing was we had Haslemere Town Band for the first time. Six of its members stood up in the balcony and played a selection of carols and festive music.”

Pearly King and Queen Steve and Kerry Smith caused quite a stir when they attended the fair in their full regalia.

Haslemere and Hindhead RNLI committee chairman Drummind Russell said” “Steve, a true Cockney, and his wife Kerry have recently relocated from Essex to Bordon.

“Steve grows plants and sells them outside his house in Bordon. All the income they derive from the sale of their hard efforts are divided between their two favourite charities, Dogs for the Blind and the RNLI.

“The jackets worn by Steve and Kerry are very heavy.

“Their presence at the fair generated much amusement and joy and gave them the opportunity to hand over to the RNLI £52 in loose change.”