Dear Editor,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank those people who have supported me over the last three years in the organising of the Ross Christmas Fayre.

This year the Fayre is on Sunday, November 19th at 11am, and I hope our local businesses will take advantage of the crowds and stay open. This year there will be some exciting changes which I hope will offer more to visitors. The wonderful X-entricity Theatre Group will be running the grotto, with Father Christmas, again kindly hosted by The Royal Hotel.

I am also grateful to the Phoenix Theatre who are allowing use of their carpark to the Ross First Responders who are providing event cover thanks to a kind donation from Ross Lions.

The world famous Beefy Boys return to their position under the Market House and along the streets we will be welcoming food stalls including Japanese Street food, a Hog Roast, sweet treats and Mulled Cider.

I am delighted that St Mary’s Church is coinciding their beautiful Christmas Tree festival with the Fayre, and they have generously allowed us to position charity stalls inside their Church Hall. There will be a refreshment area inside, run admirably no doubt, by the Ross British Legion. In St Mary’s Churchyard there will be some rather adorable miniature donkeys, and Mike from Hill Top Birds is returning with his collection of lovely owls.

The town Christmas tree, generously paid for by Ross Rotary, will have its lights turned on at 4pm by the Mayor and our competition winners. I am very grateful to Ermin Hire, Balfour Beatty and the members of Ross Fire Brigade who will be putting the tree safely in place.

All the stalls have been filled, but if anyone would like to go on a reserve list please email [email protected].

As this will be my final year, organising the Christmas Fayre I would like to take this opportunity to say how grateful I am to Ben Abbott who has compered so fabulously for me, to those on the Town Council who have supported me and finally to those friends and family who came out to volunteer their time so that Ross has a fabulous start to the festive season.

Cllr Hannah Lerego

Ross-on-Wye