Festive treats at hospice fair

Preparations for the Ashford Pilgrims Hospice Christmas fair are well under way.

The event takes place on Saturday November 12 at the Towers School in Faversham Road, Kennington, from 10.30am to 3.30pm, and will include more than 60 stalls, as well as a Santa’s grotto.

Christine Pledger, 93, from Folkestone has been supporting Pilgrims for 39 years and prepares marmalade, jams and chutneys to sell for the charity.

She said: “Having nursed a relative with cancer, I understand the value of hospice care. This is my way of raising awareness that we have three hospices which need increasing donations to enable them to give such a caring beneficial service to the community.”

Linda Snashall begins preparations with her team of knitters for the next Christmas fair almost as soon as the latest one is over, creating decorations for Christmas trees.

She said: “Most evenings will see me with a pair for knitting needles in my hand. It is a real pleasure to be able to spend time supporting the charity.

“Thirty years ago the hospice took fabulous care of my mum and I have been doing this ever since.”