We’re excited to soon be hosting the 2025 Brentwood Cathedral Christmas Bazaar! This promises to be a fun day as always, bringing together different facets of the community, both within our Church family and wider in the borough.
This year we will be holding the Christmas Bazaar at the Cathedral Hall on Saturday 6th December, from 11:00am – 3:00pm.
However, in order to make the Bazaar a success, we are once again reaching out to our very generous parishioners to for your help. If you are able to help with any of the following, please get in touch, and please see the note from Fr John below:
“Could I make this impassioned appeal to the whole parish community to your incredible generosity once again this year for the Annual Parish Bazaar. We need all gifts and items for the various stalls. Anything you may think will sell will be welcomed, you can drop off all items in the Narthex, or during the week at Clergy House. New and nearly new items are good. Please do not drop off clothing unless it is new. New baby clothes are always welcome. A Bazaar is not a Jumble Sale, so please think carefully about what you’re donating. Thanking you all in anticipation of your generosity.
My experience of Bazaars is that they are truly a wonderful social occasion for the whole parish community. Lots of parishioners can get involved. There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex of the Cathedral if you can help in any way the day before Friday, 5th December in setting up, and Saturday, 6th December at the Bazaar itself, and afterwards in the grand clear up.”
Here’s what we need:
CHRISTMAS GRAND DRAW PRIZES:
We would like to request various Grand Draw Prizes to be donated please, all brand-new items please: A Colour Television Flat Screen, Wii, X BOX, Air Pods, air fryer. Any other new electrical goods. Various Christmas hampers, crate of wine, restaurant vouchers, theatre vouchers, hotel vouchers, National Trust membership, or spa vouchers, crystal glass sets, M & S vouchers for Christmas, Fitbit Watch, Beats Headphones, Fortnum & Mason or M & S Hampers, large Christmas cake, bottle of champagne, and other prizes. PLEASE DONATE NOW.
Would there be any parishioners who would be willing to donate some Money Grand Draw Prizes £200, 100, & £50? This can also be Gift Aided if we have your GA Number.
If you took books of Grand Draw tickets last weekend (9th November), don’t forget to return them by the date of the Bazaar!
GIFTS AND ITEMS FOR VARIOUS STALLS:
One of the most successful stalls at a Bazaar is the ‘BOTTLE STALL’ – I would appeal to the parish for about 300 bottles of wine and spirits. If every parishioner brought one bottle, we would achieve our goal. Toiletries are always popular. Children’s toys and cuddly toys, which are in good condition. Fancy goods; and good Bric-a Brac. Knitted goods. Various Gift Cards, On the day there will be refreshments, a home baked cakes stall, jams & preserves. Various sweets and chocolates, Christmas chocolate stockings, candy canes. Good quality toys and new toys. Small children’s gifts for Santa’s Grotto. NO CLOTHING (Except brand new).
SPECIAL NOTE TO BAKERS:
If anyone is good at making Christmas Cakes, please put on your baking hats. Last year there was a demand for Christmas Cakes, and we ran out very quickly. This could be your contribution to the Bazaar. To all our bakers, please ensure you itemise your ingredients in all your cakes, as some people suffer with various allergies. Thank you!
FINANCIAL MONEY DONATION:
And finally, if anyone would like to make a money donation to the Bazaar this year, it will be very welcomed. Also, if you belong to the Parish Gift Aid Scheme, please quote your Gift Aid Number, so we are able to claim back the Tax. Thank you!
MATCHED GIVING: COULD WE MAKE A SPECIAL APPEAL FOR MATCHED GIVING?
Can anyone help with Matched Giving from your Firm or Bank? Many companies do employ a Matched Giving facility; all you need to do is ask your place of employment; this truly would be of great benefit to us. If you work at the bazaar on a particular stall, whatever is raised is often matched by the company or bank. Please investigate it!
