Hundreds of visitors packed the streets of Ross-on-Wye on Sunday, November 20th, for the annual Christmas Fayre.

The Fayre had been organised by Ross Town Council’s Events Committee, Cllrs Hannah Lerego, Caroline Bennett and Daniel Lister. They were joined by a team of volunteers, who stewarded on the day, to make sure the event ran smoothly.

Visitors to the Fayre could browse an array of stalls, to make a head start on their Christmas shopping.

Children could also visit Father Christmas in his grotto, which had been set up at the Royal Hotel. There was an opportunity to meet two Reindeer, who had come from Oakdean Smallholding at Lydbrook, and a tawny owl from the Hill Top Birds of Prey Centre, near Ross-on-Wye.

Smells of the Beefy Boys cooking Hereford-beef filled the air, and lots of hungry visitors gave in to the temptation and devoured one of their freshly-cooked, world-famous burgers.

Crowds were treated to several live music performances throughout the day, from St Mary’s Choir, a group of flautists from John Kyrle High School, and Ross Town Band.

Father Christmas made his way from the grotto to the Market House in time for the hotly-anticipated Christmas lights switch-on at 4pm. As he made his way over, delighted children came to greet him. A large crowd gathered at the Market House for the spectacle, and after the lights were turned on, the audience sang Christmas Carols around the tree together.

Amongst the stall holders was the Ross Gazette team. We held a raffle where visitors could win a hamper, donated by Truffles Delicatessen.

The hamper was won by Chris Needham from Walford, and the raffle raised £216.08 for the Gazette’s charity of 2017, the Ross Action Committee, who are hoping to purchase a new Mini-Bus and Ambulance for elderly local residents.

Read the full report and see lots more pictures in this week’s Ross Gazette