St Mary’s Summer Sale – Saturday June 7

A local favourite bringing people together to support the residents of St Mary’s

Guest feature by Julia Langdon

The day will soon be upon us. Those who love to bag a bargain and those who just love the fun of the free-for-all of a summer fair have all been doing press-ups to be the first through the door at St Mary’s Convent and Nursing Home Saturday June 7– at 1.30 p.m. prompt.

Actually it doesn’t matter what time you get there, but those who know about these things have noted that the “professionals” – the people who really know where to go for value and how to make the quids go further – are always quick off the mark at St Mary’s.

What’s more you can be guaranteed the freshest of the delicious Filipino finger food that is always freshly prepared to nourish the earthly needs of the hungry shopper.

It is, of course, all in aid of the best of causes: caring for our elderly in their last years with dignity and decency as they have done at St Mary’s since its establishment over a century ago by the Anglican sisters of the nursing order of St Margaret.

This year’s fair will be in aid of the new building project to construct more bungalows in the capacious grounds of the convent, where the able-bodied can continue to live with a degree of independence but under wary and watchful eyes.

All the favourite stalls will be there with books and bric a brac, gorgeous gifts, embroidery, knitware and all manner of good things looking for a new home.

There’s always a seriously good raffle, a tombola, a bottle stall and yummy home made cakes and ice cream. And the best thing is knowing that every pound you spend is going to make St Mary’s a better place. If you get there after 3.30 you will live to regret it.

Journalist Julia Langdon is a volunteer at St.Mary’s.