12th Annual Bazaar 2011
Portugal lived up to its reputation for warm sun and blue skies for the Friends of the British Cemetery’s 12th annual bazaar on 26 November 2011. We have come to expect wind, rain and even hail in Elvas at the end of November, which has never been a deterrent to us but was to shoppers, to judge by the increased numbers this year. We were pleased to see many more Portuguese, with their families. Our benefit bazaar becomes better known and appreciated each year. Several shoppers said they would have liked to have bought more but for the economic crisis.
Jenny Wardle added a seasonal touch with her homemade mince pies. Tim Claye’s attractive plants sold briskly and we welcomed two young Anglo-Spanish couples whose balloon figures were popular. Celia Denney, Fleur Bower, Sarah and Robin King, Dee Orvalho, Christian Rasmussen, Bill Woodman, Paul Wigram and Stephen Wright sold an eclectic mix of treasures & jumble, aided by the Kennards and Selleys from Lisbon.
Henry Whyte’s bagpipes draw shoppers to the bazaar each year but this year a number of listeners were very interested when he explained the links between Scottish pipes and those of Galicia and other Celtic areas where piping is enjoying a revival.
Thank you to all who helped make the bazaar such a success: donors, sellers and buyers. The €1700.00 raised will contribute to the maintenance of the British Cemetery and bring the museum-project closer to fruition. Pictures of this year’s bazaar can be seen on http://british-cemetery-elvas.org/bazaar.html
Throughout the year and especially when you visit Elvas for the ceremonies in May and November, please bring jewellery, bric-a-brac, dvds, exotic stamps and used Christmas cards for next year.
