Power cut fails to put gloom on St Peter's Xmas fair

This morining's power cut which blacked out parts of Sidley, Woodsgate and Old Town, meant that the church's Christmas fair began in gloom.

If conditions in the Community Centre were difficult, poor Santa could hardly see what he was doing over in the Stable Block, where the fairy lights on his Christmas tree were hit by the cut.

Fair organiser Jill Andrews said: "The power went off when we got here at 8.45.

"It has just come back on now at 11.

"It has been a bit disappointing but we have coped. Water for those all-important refreshments was heated on gas; volunteers from each of the many church groups involved in the work of the parish managed to keep their stalls running."

In true showbiz tradition, it was a case of "the show must go on."

Raising money was important. This year, as usual, one third of the proceeds will be retained for local use - in this instance to support the work of St Peter and St Paul Church of England Primary School - and the remainder will be shared between the USPG and the Church Missionary Society.

All three community centre halls were a hive of activity from beginning to end - not to mention Father Christmas holding court for a succession of wide-eyed children in his grotto.

One hall was devoted entirely to books, giving supporters opportunity to browse at leisure.

Elsewhere, cards, cakes, gifts, jewellery, bathroom, raffle, tombola, bags and scarves and a host of other bargain stalls did busy trade from beginning to end.

The power cut did not reduce the support in response to all this industry. The community centre was packed with gift-hunters.