Christmas market at Manfeild

FESTIVE cheer will fill Manfeild Stadium when it hosts the country’s biggest indoor Christmas market.

The October 12-13 occasion is the latest brainchild of Gary and Heather Philip and is an exciting adjunct to the hugely-popular annual mid-year Feilding Craft Market they stage at the venue, with a ton of ‘special somethings’ promised.

“We are really excited about having Feilding Craft Market's big Christmas market at Manfeild,” Mrs Philip says.

“It’s going to be huge.”

Having the market in October gives shoppers the chance to get their Christmas shopping done early, she says.

“Imagine being able to do all the Christmas shopping in one place and getting it sorted before the holidays start.”

She says theming the event has been a big part of the fun. 

“We started collecting Christmas stuff at the beginning of the year – we knew that, with such a big space, we needed a lot!” 

A trademark of the Philips’ shows is always a free site for a charity stall.

“This time we are delighted to have the Feilding Menzshed as Santa's Workshop. They had lots of ideas flowing so it will be interesting to see what they have been making.”

A likely count of more than 200 stalls means it will be every bit as interesting as the June market, but of course the Christmas theme means many new opportunities.

A Christmas barn, angel statues for the garden, street lights with snow falling in the lanterns, Christmas cakes, beaded sheep and deer, funky poultry, handcrafted toys, wine, chocolates, garden furniture, herb boxes are among the items on sale.

Says Mrs Philip: “It’s a Christmas shoppers’ heaven with all these stalls plus an on-site cafe so you can take a break, refuel and start again.”

Manfeild chief executive Julie Keane says the Christmas market is an innovative idea with huge potential and she is looking forward to joining all the other shoppers.

Caption: Three Santas …. Gary Philip has some Yuletide fun during preparation for the Feilding Craft Market’s big Christmas market at Manfeild Stadium.