Tag: Elham Village

    10th October 2025

    Elham Christmas Market celebrates 20 years of festive fundraising

    The much-loved Elham Christmas Market will return on Thursday 30 October 2025, 6pm – 9pm (with a special preview for disabled visitors from 5:30pm – 6.00pm), marking a very special milestone as it celebrates its 20th anniversary.

    What began in a small church hall with just eight traders and a fundraising total of £600 has now grown into one of the community’s most cherished festive events, attracting more than 35 traders and raising over £40,000 in support of Pilgrims Hospices.

    The market was founded by local businesswoman Carol Stevens, who was inspired by the magical atmosphere of traditional German Christmas markets. Alongside running her own successful home décor and gifts business, Hearts Deco, Carol has dedicated two decades to organising and growing the event, even keeping it alive during the pandemic years by running a virtual market.

    Visitors to this year’s market can enjoy a wonderful festive atmosphere, with Elham Village Hall transformed into a winter wonderland of greenery and fairy lights. There will be over 35 stalls offering unique gifts you won’t find on the High Street, including jewellery, ceramics, lino cut prints, glass art, wooden crafts, linens, accessories, Christmas cards, decorations, garden gifts, and delicious local produce.

    Carol Stevens, with Rachael Edmed and Gill Ramsay

    A highlight each year is the fabulous raffle, organised with support from local resident and Pilgrims Hospices colleague Gill Ramsay. The raffle features generous donations from local businesses and individuals across the community. There is a further luxury prize hamper to be won in a prize draw on the the Elham Christmas Market website.

    Entries for this can be made by donating through the JustGiving page.

    The event is supported by a dedicated team of volunteers and local businesses, with long-standing contributions including:

    • A donation of much-loved mulled wine from Cheriton Tesco organsied by Community Champion, Helena Marshall, who helps Carol with the event each year
    • Seasoned Pioneers’ spices, which make the wine so delicious
    • Simpsons Wine Estate’s generous percentage of sales towards hospice care

    Carol said:

    “It’s a real labour of love every year and so wonderful to see the community come together around the festive season and support the hospice. I’m so grateful to the army of volunteers and local businesses who help make it possible – from donating prizes to serving mulled wine. It’s incredible to see how the market has grown over 20 years, and I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved together.”

    Rachael Edmed, Pilgrims Hospices Community Fundraising Manager, added:

    “The Elham Christmas Market is such a special event, and it’s incredible to see the support it has generated for Pilgrims Hospices over the past 20 years. We’re so grateful to Carol for her amazing dedication and the huge amount of work she puts in each year to make it happen. The evening always has a wonderful festive atmosphere, and I’m really looking forward to being there to celebrate this milestone with the community.”

    Event details

    Elham Christmas Market
    Thursday 30 October 2025, 6pm – 9pm
    (Preview for disabled visitors: 5:30pm – 6:00pm)

    Elham Village Hall, Elham, Kent CT4 6SX

    Entry: £1 minimum (children under 10 go free); cash required

    Please bring cash for smaller purchases, though many traders can also take card payments.

    Parking: Please use the field in Park Lane (opposite the village hall), weather permitting, or park in the village itself, leaving the main car park for those less able.

    To find out more, visit elhamchristmasmarket.co.uk.

    Pilgrims Hospices provides compassionate, specialist care free of charge to thousands of people in east Kent each year who are living with life-limiting conditions. Support is offered in patients’ homes, in the community, and at our three hospice sites in Canterbury, Thanet and Ashford. We also run a 24-hour advice line.

    7th February 2020

    Elham Christmas Market is a resounding success

    Held on Thursday 24 October, Elham Christmas Market took place at Elham Village Hall in support of Pilgrims Hospices. Once again this much-loved event was a resounding success, attracting over 500 visitors and raising an incredible £2902.38 towards the work of the hospice.

    Carol Stevens has been organising the Christmas market for over 14 years. She said: “We want to continue to support Pilgrims because it is a local charity which sadly, all too many of us have had some personal experience. We just know they do a fabulous job supporting people when they are most in need and feel it to be a very worthy cause.

    “I started the event on my own, but do get support from lovely local people, who either bake or offer to go on the rota for the door or in the kitchen. The team from the hospice also help with set up and signage to make sure everything runs smoothly.”

    Entry is just £1 and, with over 35 stalls offering unique and special Christmas gifts selling everything from beeswax wrap to jewellery, handmade Christmas cards and decorations, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Local resident Gill Ramsey secures fabulous raffle prizes ranging from afternoon tea at the Ritz, Eurostar tickets, festive chocolates and Pandora jewellery, many local organisations and companies support the fair with donations for the raffle and refreshments.

    The support Pilgrims receive each year from Carol and her team of volunteers helps us continue being there for patients and their families, when and where they need us.

    Jo Harris, Community Fundraising Officer

    Pilgrims Hospices volunteers and the local village community were on hand to help to set up the venue, baking cakes and ensuring homemade mince pies and festive mulled wine was available in abundance.

    Jo Harris, Canterbury Community Fundraising Officer for Pilgrims Hospices said:

    “The support Pilgrims receive each year from Carol and her team of volunteers helps us continue being there for patients and their families, when and where they need us.

    “It is lovely to see the community pull together and support the event. We would also like to say a huge thank you all the staff and volunteers who made the day happen.”

    A date for your diary: This year’s date for the Elham Christmas Market is confirmed as Thursday 29 October 2020.

    If you are feeling inspired by Elham Christmas market and would like to organise a market or a fundraising event in your local area then please get in touch with [email protected] for more information.

    If you or someone you know is coping with a life limiting illness and you think you may benefit from Pilgrims support, talk to your GP or Healthcare Professional about the options or click here to read about our Wellbeing Programme.

Go back