The 2022 Seniors Fair was held under the auspices of the Harpenden Trust for the first time. The Fair was in the relatively new Eric Morecambe Centre (EMC) on Tuesday, 5 April, after an interval of 2 ½ years, the last one being in the Public Halls in October 2019, because of the COVID Pandemic. The EMC was a new venue for us and whilst we encountered teething problems these were all overcome on the day.
The Seniors Fair was open to the public from 10.30 to 13.30 and approximately 300 people came through the doors. This meant that the hall was busy for the whole time and even towards the end we still seemed to have a steady flow.
Harpenden Trust volunteers were on hand to welcome people on their arrival and others were on the many doors guiding people to the auditorium, which was much appreciated by attendees.
The ladies of the Harpenden Village WI as usual put on a splendid display of homemade savouries and cakes together with tea and coffee, in exchange for a donation to their chosen charity, which this year was Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, raising almost £500.
The Fair had 32 exhibitors, 26 charitable/community organisations and 6 commercial Businesses (legal/financial planning/care homes; these paying to attend). Feedback from the exhibitors was overwhelmingly positive and many indicated a desire to attend next year’s event.
We intend to run the event again next year, in early April 2023, and are currently in contact with EMC to arrange. As well as the 32 exhibitors from this year, which would all seem to wish to return, we currently have another 8 charities/community organisations who would like to attend next year.
08 June 2022