Islanders get into Christmas spirit at Round Table fayre

The event had to be cancelled for the first time in its 30-year history last year due to Covid. But this year’s event was as popular as ever, with the stalls at Beau Sejour bursting with goods and the aisles busy with shoppers.

Organiser Roy Bisson said there were about 150 tables, with 50 charities. The volunteers had been there since 7.30am getting set up and they had to open the doors before 10am, because the queue was so big.

‘I’m very pleased with the turnout,’ Mr Bisson said.

The event is a great way to kickstart Christmas for islanders, but it is also hugely important to the charities that put on the stalls.

Mr Bisson said for newer charities it was a great way to raise awareness, but it was also an important fundraiser for many causes.

One of the stalls was run by Active – a charity which helps people with learning disabilities – which was selling festive decorations.

Volunteer Beryl Vaudin said it had been going really well, with them nearly selling out of baubles by lunchtime.

President Ray Peacegood said it was really important for helping to fund their work to help people with learning disabilities go on holiday and take part in fun events.

In another corner of the hall was a table organised by the Guernsey Scouts, who are busy fundraising £60,000 to go to the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea.

Evie Linane, 15, is one of the nine scouts who plan to be going to the event next August. About two-thirds of what they need to raise will fund their trip, while the rest of the money will help other scouts from poorer communities get to the event.

So far they have raised about £20,000 and on Sunday they were selling items and also running games.

The scouts and their parents had made a few games, including a ball maze, using ropes.

‘The ball maze is the harder one,’ said Evie.

‘It’s been quite a challenge, but people have enjoyed having a go.’

The scouts have lots of other fundraisers organised in the coming months, including bag packing and flag days.

Friends of Channel Islands Air Search had a stall selling a variety of goods.

Friends president David Hugo said their new Leo Seeker book – the first in a new four-book series about a search and rescue plane – had been selling particularly well.

• The event normally attracts about 3,000 people and raises about £35,000.