JUST OVER £1,000 was raised for charity as the Saddleworth Women’s Institute helped kick start the festive season with a Christmas Market extravaganza at the Saddleworth Hotel.
Shoppers were treated to mulled wine and a roaring fire as well as a vast array of stalls from more than 30 local traders brimming with gifts including chocolates, scarves and gloves, jewellery, pictures, bags, Christmas decorations, coffees and teas, soaps, and much more.
Profits from the evening – £1,050 raised in just 2.5 hours – will benefit the WI’s chosen charity of the year, the Oldham Bereavement Support Service, who help and support people of all ages who have lost a loved one.
Jess Moreland, Saddleworth WI president, said: “This is a fantastic amount of money which will go towards a most worthy, noble and selfless cause.
“This could not have been done without the support of the people of Saddleworth, our members, our guests and the brilliant stall holders. Thank you everyone!”
The WI also enjoyed their first ever Quiz Night last month at Greenfield Conservative Club, which was attended by 51 people and the winning quiz team was ‘Nearly retired’.
Their first meeting of 2015 will be held on Wednesday, January 7 when they will present a cheque to outgoing charity Oldham Bereavement Support Service and finish the evening with a quiz.
The WI would like to thank the Saddleworth community for their support in 2014 and they hope this will continue into the WI centenary year of 2015.
They have several events planned, starting with a Centenary Celebration afternoon tea when they will also commemorate the 2015 Centenary of World War One. Further details will follow in January.
Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.
The Saddleworth WI meets on the first Wednesday of each month at the Saddleworth Hotel at 7.30pm. New members and guests are always welcome. Their sub-groups also meet regularly.
Visit their new and improved website www.saddleworthwi.com for more information, details of upcoming events, activities, sub-groups and a programme of monthly speakers. Also find them on Facebook and Twitter.
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