Fairfield, Greater Manchester - Feb 2026

October started with a great social event organised by Sr Ann and Br Mel Wood. The first Jam and Jackets event took place in October 2024 and was so successful that they organised another event for 4th October 2025. Although ticket sales were good, the awful weather on the day kept some away, but nevertheless the turnout was good enough to eat their way through several large pans of chilli with jacket potatoes and what seemed to be their combined body weight in homemade cake. We were entertained by the Glossop Ukulele Group and a quiz and raffle. A great social event where we find church members outnumbered by friends from the wider community, some returning after enjoying the event last year.

Later that month we held a jumble sale. This year the organisers decided to try a new approach and rather than have just a ‘jumble sale’, they put in a lot of effort to organise a Jumble, Vintage and Good-as-new sale with all items being sorted and displayed in one of those categories, they also offered light refreshments to encourage people to browse a little longer.

Overall, for the effort put in the footfall was disappointing. On the plus side all items were brought to the college, so no collecting was necessary, and it was the largest amount of total jumble ever donated. All leftover clothes, footwear and bags were sold to a dealer who sends them to Africa for reuse, leftover books were taken for resale and anything remaining was taken to charity shops. A total sum of over £600 was raised, which is the highest income raised at a jumble sale here at Fairfield.

On Saturday 22nd November we had our Christmas Fair. Again, a lot of organising was involved to run another successful event which saw the church community work together to welcome visitors to Fairfield and share the warmth of our fellowship. It was lovely to get the opportunity to speak with visitors and in my case to be able to greet some visitors who first came to Fairfield for the Jam and Jackets event in 2024. Another great fund raiser, but a lot of work for which we are ever grateful to be still able to deliver.

Sr Margery Sutcliffe