MORE than 50 entrepreneurs peddling everything from home-baked cupcakes to knitted baby-clothes converged on Hadleigh Guildhall complex at the weekend, and raised around �1,800 to boost this year’s Christmas celebrations in the town.

Despite heavy rain on Sunday, around 800 people attended the annual festive food and craft fair, which is organised by Hadleigh Town Forum. The forum’s entertainment group stages two fairs every year and a string of other events to raise money to pay for the things such as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations and the yuletide festivities in the town.

Forum vice-chairman Brian Loftus said: “Our town council doesn’t have much money to fund extras so events like the two craft and food fairs, which raise around �3,000 a year, are essential to pay for things like the stage at the Christmas lights switch-on or the hire of the tables and chairs for our Jubilee weekend.

“A lot of the exhibitors at the fairs are regulars and we have a loyal band of supporters who help organise them. Holding the fairs at the Guildhall complex also gives people a chance to come in a look our lovely historic buildings.”

Craft fair visitors on Sunday were able to sample locally brewed beer, buy home-grown produce and purchase handmade gifts.