Oxford CND Christmas Bazaar - a warm atmosphere and wonderful choice of gifts

Oxford CND’s Christmas Bazaar took place on Saturday 4 December, and as usual it was held in the Wesley Memorial Church, New Inn Hall Street. I hadn’t really intended going as I had other commitments, but passing the entrance I was immediately struck by the colourful banner, bumped into some friends who were on the verge of entering and thought I’d give it a whirl for 5 minutes or so. I finally emerged around two hours later! There was a really warm friendly atmosphere and lots of excellent home-made food in the ‘café’ area at the front of the building, where groups of friends congregated to chat and debate issues of the day earnestly over their tea and cream cakes. Once you got into the main hall, there were lots of stalls selling a wide variety of colourful things including bags, ceramics, jewellery and publications from a private press based in Stroud. Music was provided by a group of singers clad in purple and silver, most of whom bore a remarkable resemblance to members of the Sea Green Singers (musical wing of the Oxford Levellers), and by an excellent jazz pianist and singer. Santa also paid us a visit, but I certainly didn’t get a prezzie. I was also too busy chatting to get the names of the wonderful craftspeople - pity, I really fancied one of the colourful bowls you’ll see in the photographs….