Nangle Natters: Community Best

I have a lovely time when it’s Christmas fair season. Last week it was the New England House Open Studios – which feels like the extended version as it’s over several floors and several days. Like when they have the bigger version of QI or The News Quiz – it’s just the original goodness over more time and space. And before then I had a stall at the Exeter Street Hall one-off Christmas Fair. The clue is in the name: it’s a Christmas Fair, it’s a Winter Open Studios, so not only are the people coming around looking with an eye not just for what they want, but also for what might suit Auntie Sue down to the ground (isn’t she usually so difficult to buy for?!).

The best bit, though, is just the people.

Many years ago a filmmaker called John Armstrong let the camera roll on an Andy Warhol exhibition. He opened by saying – and I may be paraphrasing here – “The lighting’s crap, the camerawork is crap, the sound is crap – but the people are beautiful.” And that’s exactly how I feel about spending time at craft fairs at this time of year.

Stamping the crisp cold off of their boots as they rush through the doors, casting an eye around

That’s not to say that the wares are ‘crap’, but that the people shine. Those people include the makers, who have brought their creations to market, to share the bespoke and unique qualities of what they have. It’s made with love and care, which passersby pick up on and are drawn to, ultimately inducing them to want to own or gift whatever’s on display.

The customers are beautiful too. So many people just stop and chat and share stories and admire the workmanship. They have been tempted out of their warm homes by the idea of getting something for someone else – by generosity. Stamping the crisp cold off of their boots as they rush through the doors, casting an eye around. Elderly people spend an age at each stall, babies are passed around as they grizzle or grab for the bright new shiny and soft things. It’s not about buying, it’s about sharing.

So this is why I love Christmas craft fairs. Because they have all of the spirit of the season to be shared with strangers, are where communities gather, and face painting is the norm for anyone under ten – and not unusual in those over. No humbug here.