Ladybrook community comes together for Christmas market

Alka Bhatt, left, and her husband Kalpesh, right, who run the Post Office on Ladybrook Square, are joined by their family at the launch of their first Christmas festivity of the season which saw an early appearance of Santa to welcome visitors to their arts and crafts fayre. Also pictured are Jeevan Fermahan, Hanisha Bhatt, Manisha Bhatt and Bhavesh Parmar.

Ladybrook got into the festive spirit at the weekend, with a Christmas market, and a special appearance from Santa.

Members of the Ladybrook community in Mansfield came together for an early festive celebration with their Christmas market.

Alka Bhatt and her family ,who run Ladybrook Lane post office and newsagents, organised and hosted their fifth Christmas fare on Ladybrook Square.

Attractions included stalls for arts and crafts, as well as a raffle and tombola, to raise money for Ladybrook’s light switch on, and military charity Help for Heroes.

Santa even made an appearance to entertain the youngsters, and the community came together to make plenty of arts and crafts to raise money, as well as sweet stalls.

There was a guess the name of the elf competition, and the winner will be announced at the light switch on event, which takes place on November 23 from 5.30pm, with the lights being switched on at 7pm.

Councillor Terry Clay organised the gazebos, and Steve Cheeseman and his team helped set the gazebos up.

Alka said: "It was fantastic, we seem to be getting bigger every year and i'm running out of space!"

Emma Leitch brought some sparkle to the fayre with her Pure Pampered products.

"We started about five years ago with a Christmas fair, and we have people who can knit, stalls for arts and crafts, raffles, tombolas, and cakes.

"Its a fantastic community and I cant thank them enough."