The Christmas Cotswold Fair in aid of WellChild at Daylesford Organic: November 7-10
Despite the weather being on the toasty warm side, the dedicated believers in Christmas spirit amongst us can’t wait until the evenings draw in and the planning can commence for the “most wonderful time of the year”.
This November (7-10) will once again see the return of one of the Cotswolds’ Christmas mainstays, The Christmas Cotswold Fair in aid of WellChild at Daylesford Organic. This year is set to break all records, with over 200 stallholders in attendance, selling everything from homeware, to pet accessories and more. But there is one element of The Fair, that often gets overlooked – it’s eco-awareness.
Each year, Fair organiser and environmental-devotee, Lucy Greaves, tries to improve on past Fair’s eco-friendly performance, not only with the event’s arrangements themselves, but also by attracting the most environmentally conscious exhibitors. This year is no exception, with all stallholders encouraged to sport their snazziest environmental hat, by bringing their most sustainable Christmas booty for all attendees to enjoy.
‘This year, as organisers we’re planning on upping our sustainable game once again,’ says Lucy, ‘and encouraging our stallholders to do the same. With this in mind, amongst our over 200 stallholders, we’ve invited some of the country’s best, and most sustainable brands, to share their Christmas tidings and best stocking fillers with our loyal visitors, but have stressed how important it is to us that they share in our eco-ethos. We have selected a small collection of these stallholders, to share with you.’
CLOTHING
Clothing in the eco-conscious world is the ultimate conundrum, from influencers demanding less fast fashion, to the rise in vintage and second-hand clothing. This year’s Fair has made considerable efforts to ensure each and every brand available is selling clothing to last a lifetime, rather than just a season! More so than ever, the idea of fast fashion is fading – if icons like HRH The Duchess of Cambridge have taught us anything, it is that we’ve said goodbye to only wearing an outfit once! We are embracing purchasing the right clothes to last, and never go out of fashion.
Sims Wear
Cue Sims Wear. Owned by Billy Sims-Hilditch, son of legendary interior designer Emma Sims-Hilditch, Sims Wear produce a small collection of understated pieces for men, made exclusively of the highest-grade natural fibres, such as pure Cashmere Yarn and Superfine Merino Lamb’s Wool, manufactured entirely in British mills. In the words of founder, Billy, ‘We’re on a mission to simplify wardrobes, by ending the cycle of fast fashion driven by seasonality. We create timeless pieces that outlive trends and are crafted from the highest quality raw materials, and in doing so, protect the planet’s precious natural resources. We even offer a Repair and Recondition service, to mend damage of any size. But, if a piece is completely irretrievable, as they are 100% natural, they can be placed on the compost heap to return to nature.’
HOMEWARE
But it is not all about clothing. Within our homes, changing fashions are just as prevalent. Be it cushions, curtains or candle stick holders, 21st-century fashion dictates an ever-changing palette, but how can homeowners choose a more sustainable option when decorating?
Natalia Violet Antiques
Collectables of course! Natalia Violet Antiques specialise in preloved home treasures, from antiques to light fixtures and rugs, all passionately collected and collated.
@nataliavioletantiques on Instagram.
BEAUTY
Ding Ding! Second floor – beauty department!
The scents, the luxurious balms, the delicious serums, enticing the senses – skincare and a good skincare routine have become a mainstay of everyday life. The Christmas Cotswold Fair is welcoming natural and organic beauty in abundance this year, sure to leave your skin glowing and fresh.
Rhug Wild Beauty
Set in the heart of North Wales lies the Rhug Estate, the family seat of Lord Newborough. An organic farming pioneer and sustainability advocate, he has transformed the estate into a thriving business, recognised for embracing all things green, not only in the abundant pasture, but recently in the creation of Rhug Wild Beauty. With organic ingredients sustainably sourced and foraged from across the Estate, then expertly handcrafted in the UK, the Rhug collection is something truly special.
WellChild interim chief executive Matt James says, ‘Over just the past five years, the Christmas Cotswold Fair at Daylesford Organic, has raised more than £250,000 for WellChild’s work with seriously ill children and their families. It is a hugely important source of support and funding. WellChild’s mission is to get children with serious conditions out of hospital so they can be with their families with the right care and support in place. Life continues to be incredibly tough for the families we support both through the COVID pandemic and now as the cost-of-living crisis hits. We are grateful to have the support of the fair, in our home county of Gloucestershire, to help with this vital work.’
Tickets are on sale now!
Subscriber-only early bird tickets are available August 1-31: £14
General early bird tickets are available from September 1: £15
General sale available from October 1: £16
To subscribe and purchase, please visit cotswoldfair.com
