UPDATE

Hi :) thank you so much to all of you who are supporting this - we’ve reached over 1000 signatures online, and have 6000+ on paper from the last 2 weeks. Your lovely comments are really touching and we appreciate it so much.

I used to come to this market as a customer when it first started, it was our first family gathering for Christmas every year. I grew up in Tolworth, my Nanna lived in Surbiton and my sons grew up knowing that a trip to this market was the start of the Christmas celebrations, and they would be so excited to see the stall-holder friends they’d made over the years. My late Nanna would chat for hours about crafting, and my Dad would be like a kid at Christmas (hah!) so when the opportunity to trade in the market became available, I snapped it up. I’m in business with my sons now, so the family legacy for us is really important. My late husband’s name is in the All Saint’s Church prayer book, and a candle is lit for him every year inside this beautiful old church.

I also see things from a different perspective these days - the families who visit us year after year and greet us as old friends; the older community who recognise us as a safe, warm space to spend time and feel part of an embracing community - a chat, cup of tea and some Christmas music before going back to a home which for some, isn’t an environment they want to be in. Excited children who have saved up their pocket money for something they asked us to keep for them last year, and families sharing their own traditions with us. We have multiple people with vision impairment who know exactly where everything is because it’s the same every year, and can walk up and down the aisles with confidence and a smile. People who pop in regularly just to visit because we’ve formed genuine, strong friendships. Friends with advanced dementia who like to listen to certain songs at certain times of day - they don’t need to tell us, we just know - we’ve learned many things about our extended family over the years. As a trader body we’re emotionally invested in the community as a whole, and we understand the positive impact our environment is creating simply by providing consistency and love.

To be clear, this is a trader-led initiative. Whilst Eden Crafts is the business who organises this market as you will have read in the church’s response to this petition, it’s actually us - the people who you come to see - that have chosen to do this, as we’re really passionate about what we do and the beautiful community we’ve built over the years. This shows in so many of your comments & the general strength of feeling. We’re looking forward to hopefully meeting up with the new vicar for a coffee & a chat so we can all put names to faces, have a conversation about why these changes are happening, and find out more about what inspired this really big decision. Most importantly, introducing the new vicar to you by way of your support - the beautiful local community we’re immersed in and such a big part of. We think it’s really important that he hears why this market has been such a large part of so many stories for so many people, and how hard it’s going to be for some of you to start all over again, particularly as you didn’t know there was such a big change in the pipeline.

If people don’t stand up and speak clearly about things that are important, they are often overlooked and disappear with no warning. So here we are. Regardless of what happens, we want you to know how much we value you all, and how touching your support is.

If you haven’t seen the church’s response to the petition, you can find it here: https://allsaintskingston.co.uk/latest-news#responsetopetitionaboutchristmasmarketedencraftsinchurchyard

**PETITION**

For decades the Royal Kingston Christmas Fair has been a cherished tradition for many families in the local area and beyond, with it’s landmark star-topped marquee in the grounds of All Saints Church, opposite the entrance to John Lewis. The sounds of laughter, twinkling lights, a warm welcome from familiar traders and the rich aroma of festive treats have become an integral part of our community's festive spirit. Not only does the market bring joy and unity, it also provides substantial income to multiple small, locally-owned businesses. Unfortunately, after 19 years, the church has decided not to allow us to host the market in its grounds next year. This decision will not only dismantle a beloved tradition but also considerably impact the livelihoods of businesses that rely on it.

We respectful urge the church officials to reconsider their decision and permit the continued celebration of this beloved Kingston tradition in its longstanding location. By doing so, the church would uphold its role as a pillar of our community, supporting both its culture and its local economy. Your signing of this petition would build the pressure needed to sway this decision in favor of tradition, unity, and the livelihood of local businesses. Please sign and help us save the Royal Kingston Christmas Fair.