Or How a Bear was Lost and Found ~ by Lizzie Smith
On Saturday, December 2nd, Fair Mo market at St. Ia’s Parish Church was bustling! The vendors’ stalls had been set up beforehand either on tables, or on planks placed across the ancient pews. An amazing array of local arts and crafts, as well as raffles for hampers, huge bottles of champagne, and other prizes, awaited the crowds. All was ready for Johnnie Wells, St Ives’ mayor, to officially open the event at 1000hrs.
Where’s the Bear?
The Edward Hain Centre stall, complete with a gorgeous large teddy bear, was well represented by members of the Centre and Friends. Elizabeth Veal, Angela Emery, Gill Malcolm, Sue Davies, Jan Greenfield and Lizzie Smith took turns to explain that the bear, which was kindly sponsored by The Barn Nursery, was ‘lost’ somewhere in the Centre, and whoever identified where he was would win him. Contestants had to select a square on the gridded map next to him, which showed the Edward Hain Centre and environs. Whoever chose the correct square (preselected by a mystery trustee) would take him home.
A steady stream of interested people stopped throughout the day to chat about the EHC, eager to hear updates, or simply reminisce about spending time at the former hospital, or visiting relatives who had recuperated there. Cold, drizzly weather reduced the flow of visitors in the afternoon, but nevertheless, the map slowly gained more red crosses as folk tried to guess where the bear might be. Stuck in the lift? Hiding in a cupboard? In the kitchen searching for marmalade? Or maybe in the garden looking for a hive of bees and their honey?
And the winner is…
The bear was won by Barry Hall (who gratifyingly, was instrumental in organising the Shanty Shout the weekend before) by choosing a square in Room 16, a room on the first floor of the Centre. This room, like many, will need refurbishment before it can be used. The respectable £144 we collected from the always generous people of St Ives will be put towards this.
Teas, coffees and cakes, mulled wine all consumed, the Rev Nick Windows closed the Fair by announcing the winning raffle numbers. With Christmas gifts safely wrapped, gingerbread houses, scarves & mittens, sparkly decorations, glass ornaments, mats fashioned from ‘ghost’ fishing trawler ropes, silver jewellery and items from the bric a brac, and more, were taken home. In a flurry of activity, the vendors packed away their few remaining wares and the chancel was vacuumed of any remaining cake crumbs.
No pigs this year (as in days of old)—but all agreed that it had been a hugely successful Fair Mo.
