Pilgrims Hospices Christmas Fair and Craft Market: A Festive extravaganza for the whole family!
Get ready to kick off the festive season with a bang as Pilgrims Hospices proudly presents the 2023 Christmas Fair & Craft Market! We’re thrilled to announce our new venue for this year’s festive fiesta – Kingswood, Grosvenor Hall in Ashford. Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 25th, and get ready for a day of pure Christmas magic!
What’s in store for you?
This year, we’ve pulled out all the stops to make your Christmas season extra special. With an array of stalls brimming with seasonal crafts and gifts, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Find that perfect present for your loved ones, or simply immerse yourself in the holiday spirit by enjoying live festive music, delicious homemade refreshments, and more. We’ve got something for everyone!
Kids’ Corner Fun Children, brace yourselves for an incredible craft corner! You can decorate a gingerbread shape, paint a mug or plate, and dive into other creative crafts that will spark your imagination. Don’t miss the chance to join in the fun with exciting games like Snowballs in a Bucket, Pick a Candy Cane, and Snowman Hoopla. Plus, we have a surprise for your little ones – special appearances by Superman and Wonder Woman!
Meet Santa Claus
Santa Claus is coming to town – and he’s making a pit stop at Pilgrims Hospices’ Christmas Fair! Visit Santa in his brand-new ‘Yurt’ grotto, straight from the North Pole. Don’t forget to bring your wish list; you might just get a sneak peek at some holiday magic.
Supporting a Worthy Cause
By attending our Christmas Fair & Craft Market, you’ll be spreading joy and making a difference in the lives of those in need. Your participation helps Pilgrims Hospices support people across east Kent who are living with an incurable illness, making the holiday season a little brighter for them.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, November 25, 2023 Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM Venue: Kingswood, Grosvenor Hall, Kennington, Ashford, TN25 4AJ
Entry Fees
Adults: £3.00
Children: Free
Visit Santa: £4 (*Children’s admission applies to anyone under 16 years old.)
Parking
Free parking is available on site. Follow the signs as you enter the gates and take directions from our friendly car parking marshals.
Please Note
As much as we love furry friends, dogs are not allowed at this event.
For more information, contact the Ashford Fundraising Office at 01233 504 111 or email [email protected].
Don’t miss the most spectacular start to your holiday season – join us at Pilgrims Hospices Christmas Fair & Craft Market on November 25th. Let’s make this festive season one to remember, together!
Each year Pilgrims supports thousands of local people coping with a life-limiting illness and their families. The charity offers a range of services, from end-of-life care given on its wards, to its Wellbeing Programme supporting people after they are diagnosed to live well and stay independent.
1st August 2023
Pilgrims Hospices Summer Fair Success at Sandyacres
Despite the rain and emergency road closures hundreds still attended the Pilgrims Hospices annual Summer Fair on Sunday 30th July held at Sandyacres Sports and Social Club where over £11,000 was raised for the local charity.
Although Mother Nature didn’t play ‘fair’ on the day as the rain set in, people of all ages still travelled from miles around in the hopes of winning prizes and bagging bargains. Hospice staff and volunteers manned over 30 stalls, featuring games like the famous Bottle Tombola, Tin Can Alley, Paper Plane game and Pilgrims Putting.
We couldn’t be more grateful to all our supporters
Louise – Pilgrims
Faversham Ices also kindly sold ice creams – which were unsurprisingly popular on the day – donated by Consort so that 100% of the sales went to the hospice.
Many local companies showed their support and donated towards the Grand Draw. Buckhurst Luxury Shepherds Huts kindly donated a night’s stay, Rocksalt and Boys Hall also both very generously gave a £100 voucher. The Bottle Tombola and Bottle Fishing wouldn’t have been possible without K and L Wines and Spirits UK Ltd very kindly sponsoring the games and donating 60 bottles of their delicious wine.
Magician Geoff Partner amazed the crowds with his magic tricks and Deadpool Dan wowed visitors with his American Superhero costume.
0161 Web
0154 Web
0127 Web
0125 Web
0115 Web
0112 Web
Pilgrims Community Fundraising Manager for Ashford, Louise Newman, said: “We couldn’t be more grateful to all our supporters, for going the extra mile, and still volunteering or visiting on the day despite the rain and unforeseen challenges we faced. As a local hospice we are always so moved by the generosity of our communities. Whether people donated items or offered to lend a hand on the day their kindness and dedication all adds up to make a huge difference for our patients.
Special thanks to AnnMarie Fuggle from Sandyacres Sports and Social Club who donated the use of the venue and supported the event from start to finish.
Over 90 volunteers joined forces before, during and after the event to ensure its success and we are especially grateful for their ongoing support. On behalf of everyone who benefits from our services, may I say a huge thank you to all of the people who helped to make our Summer Fair possible.”
The hospice’s next fundraising event is the Folkestone Downs Challenge. The 36km hiking event, with the route designed to showcase the very best of Kent’s spectacular south coast will be held on Saturday 2nd September. For more details visit: Folkestone Downs Challenge 2023.
Your support means everything to the people we care for. Around 80% of our funding comes from the generous community. With your help we can continue to offer quality end-of-life care and our full range of wellbeing activities. Thank you.
11th April 2023
UNFRAMED mural festival and art trail arrives in Ashford
Follow the Ashford UNFRAMED 2023 art trail this April half term, and be amazed by the murals created by national and local artists, who have transformed blank walls in Ashford town centre, into a sea of colour and creativity.
Kate Duddell from Pilgrims’ fundraising team with Chris Dixon from Ashford Borough Council / Mural art by Will Redgrove on Pilgrims’ Ashford General shop
Sue Sharp with artist Will Redgrove
At the UNFRAMED launch, Sue Sharp, Pilgrims Hospices Director of Income Generation and Marketing, met mural artist Will Redgrove, painter of Pilgrims Hospices shop on Castle Street with his interpretation of the work of Pilgrims. The masterpiece depicts three blue tits representing the three Pilgrims Hospices; a ribbon in flight within a field of bluebells, forget-me-nots and sunflowers. A meaningful and peaceful representation of everlasting love, memory and care, which, is at the heart of Pilgrims Hospices’ vision.
Visitors to the festival can download a map, scan a QR code at each site, or pick up a physical map from Coachworks, Low Key Tap Room, Picturehouse or Made in Ashford and wander around the town centre immersing themselves in the street art and learning more about each piece.
The mural festival is running from Saturday 1 April to Sunday 16 April 2023, with arts workshops, street dance and film screenings available to all visitors.
Keep up with all the latest updates as they happen and watch the progress of the artwork being created by following @ashfordunframedon Instagram.
Pilgrims Hospices care for thousands of local people each year, free of charge, during the most challenging time in their lives. They offer care and support in people’s own homes, in the community and in their inpatient units as well as running a 24-hour advice line.
24th March 2023
Penny praises Pilgrims Hospices as “a place to live, a caring community”
Penny Murphy from Tenterden was diagnosed with colon and liver cancer in 2020 and given 18 months to live; she began treatment and surpassed her initial prognosis.
In January 2023, Penny decided to stop treatment to focus on her quality of life and make the most of the time she has.
Pilgrims Hospices is now supporting Penny to live well in each moment and plan for her future, enabling her to spend more time making precious memories with loved ones.
A former nanny, Penny is described by friends as “beautiful, incredibly funny, silly, adorable, and an absolute ‘one-in-a-million’ lady”. They are currently running a GoFundMe campaign to help Penny tick important goals off her bucket list, including a trip to Italy with her husband, John.
Penny said: “I’d been living with cancer for two and half years before I was referred to Pilgrims. I was so isolated at home. I dreaded the idea of hospice care, but when I arrived for my first holistic assessment, it didn’t feel like a place to die – it is a place to live, a caring community. I was greeted so warmly. The reception staff knew who I was and who I was there to see.
“Pilgrims sorted everything for me, they are so helpful and compassionate. I was able to speak with someone immediately; the whole team is efficient. I met Alison Wiltshire, Community Nursing Team Leader and Palliative Specialist Nurse (PSN), and we discussed my history and sorted out my disability badge, benefits, pain medication and future wishes. It’s the first time since being diagnosed that I’ve felt in control and empowered to make decisions about my care, which is phenomenal.”
Alison Wiltshire, Community Nursing Team Leader and PSN, with Penny
A common perception of palliative care is that it takes place only on hospice wards, but the majority of Pilgrims patients are cared for within the east Kent community. In 2022-23, 2,426 patients have had input from the clinical team – PSNs, doctors and Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs) – in the community, including in patients’ own homes.
Penny
Alison added: “Bringing patients into clinic allows them to discover what a hospice feels like, and can allay fears and anxiety about what hospices are. Having someone like Penny experience our community services and be willing to spread the word to encourage others is just what we need. It helps to dispel myths about hospice care.”
Penny is currently accessing Pilgrims’ spiritual care and complementary therapy services. Her dogs, Ruger and Elsa, can also come to the hospice with her.
She continued: “I’m dying – I’m under no illusion about that – but Pilgrims gives me peace of mind; it’s so reassuring knowing that my future care will be on my terms. I think this is really important.
“To anyone being offered hospice care, I would say: “Go for a visit, talk to team, try it out”. You’ll be surprised how positive it is; it’s nothing at all to be scared of.”
Pilgrims Hospices cares for thousands of local people each year, free of charge, during the most challenging time in their lives. They offer care and support in people’s own homes, in the community and in their inpatient units as well as running a 24-hour advice line.
15th March 2023
Fantastic fundraiser Eleanor raises over £5,000 for Pilgrims Hospices
Eleanor Davies from Ashford hopes to inspire other children to fundraise for charity. Aged just 7-years-old, Eleanor recently raised an incredible £5,401.01 for local hospice care.
Eleanor raised funds over the festive period in 2022 and also took part in Santas on the Harbour! in December 2022 with her mum, Charlotte, who is a Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner at Pilgrims Hospices.
Eleanor and Charlotte at Santas on the Harbour! 2022 in Folkestone
Young fundraiser Eleanor said: “I wanted to fundraise for Pilgrims because it’s kind and thoughtful to raise money for people who help others who are poorly. It means they can buy some new equipment for people to use. My mummy works at the Ashford hospice and she tries to help people feel a little bit better. I think everyone who works at Pilgrims is fantastic!”
Eleanor continued: “I was so proud that I wore my medal to school! I have just joined Brownies, and the fundraising goes towards my Charities badge, which is very exciting.”
“I want to say an enormous thank you to all my family and friends who donated and sponsored me and came to Folkestone on the day of the run, to cheer me on! It was really tiring, but so much fun and I would love to do a Pilgrims run again. I would also like to say thank you to Pilgrims for all the amazing work they do and for letting me run for them. I am very proud of my mummy for what she does.”
Charlotte added: “I’m so proud of Eleanor; I see first-hand how the money can help people. At 7-years-old, to have raised £5,401.01 is absolutely fantastic and for Eleanor to want to fundraise again is just amazing. She is already asking about her next challenge! Thank you to her sponsors for their generosity. We hope that her story inspires others to fundraise for charity.”
Pilgrims Hospices cares for thousands of local people each year, free of charge, during the most challenging time in their lives. They offer care and support in people’s own homes, in the community and in their inpatient units as well as running a 24-hour advice line.
9th March 2023
UNFRAMED, Ashford’s first mural festival is coming to the town centre and a Pilgrims Hospices shop near you!
Pilgrims Hospices are proud to be one of 14 special locations taking part in Ashford’s first mural festival, UNFRAMED!
Ashford will be turned into a vibrant masterpiece as a number of national and local artists take to its streets to transform blank walls into a sea of colour and creativity. All of the murals are in close proximity of each other around the town centre and will be part of the UNFRAMED art trail for local residents and visitors to enjoy.
Curated by street art and mural experts Accent London and The London Mural Company, artists include Mr Doodle, Alex Chinneck, Charley Peters, Will Redgrove, Curtis Hylton, Andy Welland, and many more.
Pilgrims Hospices’ location will be at one of its charity retail stores and its well-loved Castle Street shop will be the canvas. Here, a spectacular and themed artwork will be revealed and has been curated by Will Redgrove in association with the hospice team.
The painting will be one of the last to be curated, just before the art trail formerly opens to the public.
The charity have worked closely with the artist, Will Redgrove, to ensure that the design has hospice meaning and resonates with trail viewers, whilst also showing nature in a vibrant and bold setting.
Pilgrims Hospices representative, Kate Duddell, said: “At its heart, Pilgrims Hospices is dedicated to ensuring people living with an incurable illness can access the quality care and comfort they deserve. Our environment is so important and we wanted to work closely with Will to ensure that this masterpiece has meaning and the elements represent what the hospice is all about, yet in an abstract way.”
Nature is the focus of the Pilgrims mural and it’s nothing new that spending time in the great outdoors and within a natural setting does wonders for our physical health and mental wellbeing. With all these benefits, it’s little wonder why nature is the focus of the Pilgrims artwork. It is a meaningful representation of everlasting love, gratitude, respect, memory and care, which the natural symbols within the artwork represent; all of which are important in Pilgrims’ daily work in caring for the east Kent community at the end of life.
Kate added: “People think that hospices are sad places, but really they are places to help our patients live fully and well in the time that they have. Our welcoming facilities and gardens enable families, carers and patients to have a brighter and inspiring setting for their care. Hospices aren’t places to be fearful of – they’re places that remove fears within natural and safe surroundings.”
Visitors to the festival will be able to download a map, scan a QR code at each site, or pick up a physical map from Coachworks, Low Key Tap Room, Picturehouse or Made in Ashford and wander around the town centre immersing themselves in the street art and learning more about each piece.
The mural festival will run from Saturday 1 April to Sunday 16 April 2023, with arts workshops, street dance and film screenings available to all visitors.
Keep up with all the latest updates as they happen and watch the progress of the artwork being created by following @ashfordunframedon Instagram.
Pilgrims Hospices care for thousands of local people each year, free of charge, during the most challenging time in their lives. They offer care and support in people’s own homes, in the community and in their inpatient units as well as running a 24-hour advice line.