The CRESS pavilion will open its doors for its first Christmas market since its launch in March. The popular market will be its biggest yet with new stallholders selling vegan cakes and a whole array of chutneys. There will also be our regular stall from the Community Garden selling our own range of quince jam, chutney, seedlings, plants and seasonal (yes seasonal!) produce which will include kale, spinach and rainbow chard, so you can get a healthy dose of greens to see you through winter. We may even have some sprouts if we can keep the wood pigeons from getting to them before us!
Volunteers and a local school group are busy creating craft items and planters, and there will be seasonal bedding and some Christmas greenery from Chantry Walled Garden. Maidenhall Residents Association will be selling their usual array of useful bric-a-brac items and there will be craft stalls selling seasonal items and jewellery.
As well as this brilliant browsing and shopping opportunity there will be the chance to rest your feet and have a cup of tea at the Community Café, where Julie will be serving up her popular cakes alongside warming seasonal soup made with produce from the gardens – so save yourself for lunch.
So why not come and join us and pick up some last minute bargains for a greener Christmas!

The market will be held on Friday 11 December at ActivLives CRESS Pavilion, Halifax Road, Ipswich IP2 8RE from 10am till 12.30 and will extend beyond this time if people want to relax over lunch. There is plenty of parking at the site and on surrounding roads. For further details, or to hold a stall, please contact Jo on 07760 583950 or email jo@activlives.org.uk