Brockley’s largest Christmas market to date

pic: Claire Shaw

A Brockley charity staged their largest Christmas market to date, attracting crowds of over 800 festive shoppers.

The local charity, Brockley Cross Action Group, celebrated their fifth year of hosting a market on Coulgate Street in Brockley today. The community-event, organised by a group of enthusiastic volunteers, was a hub of festive cheer, with over 40 stalls showcasing Brockley’s businesses, musicians and artists.

Rupert King, Chair of BXAG, said: “Community events like this are an essential part of Brockley life. It brings people of all walks of life together for a fun day, it’s an opportunity to meet new people and it’s something Brockley can be proud of. We hope that events like this help to generate community spirit and togetherness – not just for Christmas, but all year long.”

The market did not fall short of things to buy, with stalls displaying jewellery, Christmas cards and decorations, vintage clothing, children’s toys, mulled wine, cakes, jams, and much more.

pic: Claire Shaw

As locals surveyed the stalls for Christmas treats, a group of local musicians accompanied the shoppers with festive tunes. Performers included: The Brockley Ukelele Group, The Strum Pets, The Gray Cats, Fruitful Earth, Les Zoings, as well as children from the John Stainer School choir.

It is the first time local music group, Les Zoings have played at the market. The dressed band paraded through the market playing their first piece.

Rebecca Glove, 35, art teacher, and percussion player in the band, said: “We wanted to be part of this wonderful community, and offer what we can. We really just wanted to have fun.”

Phoebus Apostolides, 67, artisan from Ladywell was selling his photographs of local sights, and hand-made jewellery at the market: “I prefer to sell things in the local area and to local people if I can. I hope now that it is getting towards Christmas people will start trying to buy their presents.”

Tascita Hinckson, 34, children centre outreach worker, and candle maker said: “It’s the most established craft fair I’ve been to. I wanted to be part of a local market, and to get my product out there.”

As the market began to draw to a close, Santa made a special appearance and turned on Brockley Common’s Christmas tree lights.

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