Boxford community unites for joint festive fair, market and Christmas tree festival

The Christmas season has well and truly arrived in Boxford, as community organisations combined for a wide-ranging festive fair and market at the weekend.

St Mary’s Church, the Friends of Boxford School and Boxford Farmers’ Market joined forces for the first time, bringing together the church’s Christmas Tree Festival and the village hall festive market under one banner.

Hundreds of visitors turned out to enjoy more than 30 food, art and craft stalls across the two venues on Saturday and Sunday, alongside children’s activities and a Santa’s grotto, while the event concluded with a family advent carol service on Sunday afternoon.

Funds raised during the event will be divided between the three organisations, as well as DIPG brain tumour research.

Boxford rector, the Rev Rob Parker-McGee, told Suffolk News: “Especially in the current climate, the event was an opportunity to enter into the Christmas spirit.

“In the past, we had three separate events on different days, but, this year, we had the strength of conviction that we all wanted to work together going forward, which I think contributed to the success.”

Sally Lewis, joint-chairman of Friends of Boxford School, said: “We all joined forces to make it a festive extravaganza, which made it a successful day for everyone.

“We had lots of different stalls, which the children seemed to love.”

Myalee Chaytor, organiser of Boxford Farmers’ Market, added: “It was a really nice joint effort. The weekend went absolutely brilliantly and we had a fantastic turnout across both locations.”