The Christmas Fair at Litherland Masonic Hall, which is organized by Ken and Barbra Rouse and their many volunteers, begin their preparations from September onwards and they continued to contribute their time and resources to its success.
As two o’clock struck, the doors were opened in an atmosphere of gentle excitement for the annual event with a busy flow of parents, visitors, friends and children coming along to see Santa and request their desires for the upcoming Christmas day. Tickets were sold both at the door and previously in the lodges, though entrance has always been free for children. £52 was also raised on the door from a playing card raffle for a bottle of whisky.
Visitors proceeded to the main hall filled with stalls run by volunteers of the ladies committee and the members and families of the local lodges. Mini Christmas cakes and pies which had been baked by one time chef Gordon Farmer were for sale whilst white elephant stalls were supervised by Bob and Carol Farmer, Miles and Gladys Cottrell and the bric-a-brac which had been donated or collected by the members provided happy rewards for the many visiting bargain hunters.
Ormskirk and Bootle Group Chairman Graham Chambers once again supervised his busy and popular roll-a-dice horse racing derby and later on also oversaw the drawing of raffles and the gifting of prizes which had been donated by the lodges belonging to the Hall. A welcome respite from the hectic event was the tearoom organised by the resident caterers Jim, Sally and staff who provided tea, cake, pies, sandwiches and stew but most welcome of all was a peaceful sit down!
The central attraction of the afternoon of course was the visit of Santa, AKA Don Fraser, for the children, which was well conducted by his elves and helpers from Eureka Lodge No 3763, who presented each child with varying presents.
As the doors were finally closed and the rooms cleared, the helpers relaxed and reflected on their hard work and a happy successful afternoon for the children and local community. Monies were then carefully counted which exceeded £1,200.
