Stoke Newington traders set for charity Christmas market

Expect Santa, singing and snowballs this Sunday as traders in Stoke Newington put on a special festive market to raise money for local charities.

The event, A Very Stokey Christmas, runs from 11am until 5pm on Church Street, with many activities taking place outside the Fire Station. 

Those include a snowball competition, with targets to aim at, a Santa’s grotto with lovely gifts, and choirs serenading visitors.

The event will help raise funds for the Winter Toy Appeal, which collects and delivers gifts to children in poverty, Solace women’s refuges and youth engagement charity Hackney Quest.

Over 30 local businesses are taking part and there will be plenty of mulled wine and mince pies. 

Location Location estate agency is decorating the large fir tree outside the Fire Station, and the Local Buyers Club will be hosting a Christmas Trail, with clues for shoppers to solve and prizes for the winners.

The fire engine will also be out for local children to sit in.

Heidi Early, of Earlybird Cards, is one of the organisers.

She said: “Getting all the traders together to organise this has been a really lovely process. Lots of businesses are getting involved, many are offering raffle prizes.

“Life is pretty hard on high streets at the moment and people have been feeling pretty fed up so it’s good to be doing something that brings the community together – this will be a really special festive event.”

Artist Lydia Thornley has designed the poster for the event and print shop Printist has donated all the posters and banners.

Earlybird is running a competition to design the best Christmas card, and the winning design will be printed and sold in the shop next year for charity.

For further details, visit bit.ly/StokeyChristmas