Hugely popular Maldon Christmas Fayre scaled back and replaced with 'modest' event instead

An Essex council has announced a significant change to this year's Christmas lights switch-on event. Maldon Town Council will not be hosting a Christmas Fayre this winter and will instead be delivering a "modest" lights switch-on event.

The decision to run the event in its previous format was made in March. Since then, however, the organising committee has lost two key members and Maldon Town Council said it was felt that the ability to deliver the Fayre to the scale of the previous events would not be possible.

Maldon Council says the decision was not taken lightly and understands the disappointment it may cause to the community. The council understands the importance of the Christmas Fayre as a cherished Maldon tradition and is committed to exploring alternative ways to celebrate and support our local businesses and artisans over the festive period.

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Town Mayor, Cllr Andrew Lay, said "We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who has contributed to the planning and preparation of this year's Christmas Fayre so far. Your dedication and hard work have not gone unnoticed.

"We would also like to single out and sincerely thank the outgoing Christmas Fayre working group Chairman, Councillor Michael Pearlman, who has been a driving force over the past ten years and has dedicated so much time and effort in organising the event."

The Council is currently finalising plans for the reduced 2024 event and will share more details in the coming months. In the meantime, Members will be working hard behind the scenes to shape the 2025 event.

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