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Christmas Market 2017 at
City of London’s Guildhall
T
he Corporation of The
City of London Guildhall’s
claim to be the ‘original’
Christmas Market is going to
be hard to disprove. When
the event is in support of
The British Red Cross we
also need to bestow some
largesse to their creativity.
A cheese lovers delight.
The Great Hall and Livery Hall
were packed with a vast array
of goodies making tempting
Christmas present choices.
Ottoman silk slippers and horn
handled magnifying glasses
contributed to the items you
might wonder how you ever
lived without. Some very
tempting food and clothing
items were real winners – I
departed with two ties and four
pies! There was an abundant
supply of Wines, Beverages,
Beauty Products and Jewellery.
The Print Room housed
Affordable Art and The Old
Library stalls, operated by City
Livery Companies, promoted
and eclectic choice from a
stunning display of fresh fruit
and vegetables by The
Worshipful Company of
Fruiters. Hats and Fascinators
galore by The Worshipful
Company of Haberdashers
along with Vintage and Brick-a-
brack which provided additional
options.
Princess Alexandra of Kent
launched the evening greeted
by a troupe of royal Hussars
A stunning display of fresh fruit
and vegetables.
braving the milling crowds and
taking a keen interest in the
stalls operated by the Livery
Companies. Tickets for a
Christmas Market Raffle with
some spectacular prizes that
were sold on 27th and 28th
November also contributed to
respectable monies for The
British Red Cross.
The elegant Hall was packed with
tempting choices.
JONATHAN BYRNE
The 37th Annual Great
Christmas Pudding Race
O
n the morning of
December 2nd on the
Covent Garden Piazza the
37th Great Christmas
Pudding Race took place.
This annual event is
organised by the Cancer
Research Aid Committee
(CRAC) who raise funds in a
variety of imaginative ways
in their spare time for
Cancer Research UK. Since
it began, the race has
contributed over £1.5 million
to Cancer Research UK. This
has helped to provide vital
equipment and facilities for
the charity.
Festively dressed teams.
Battling it out for the Christmas Pudding Trophy!
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THE LONDON & UK DATEBOOK
We were there to cheer on the
festively dressed teams as they
raced around an obstacle
course without dropping their
puddings. The teams of six
battled it out for the highly
sought-after Christmas Pudding
Trophy, darting through the
tricky course on a crisp
December day to win prizes
and raise money for Cancer
Research UK. As chaotic as it is
competitive, this annual race
ensures bags of entertainment.
The event was generously
supported by Fox’s and Covent
Garden Market and raised over
£15,000 on the day.
PETER KERWOOD
xmaspuddingrace.org.uk