The first meeting was held on Wednesday evening to plan for next year's Alderley Edge May Fair which will take place on Saturday 19th May.
An Olympic theme has been chosen for the 2012 fancy dress competition and schools will be asked to join the parade in costumes from their chosen country. Next year's May Fair will also see the addition of a Dog Show.
This year Soroptimist International of Manchester helped Christine Munro to organise the event, but they really only wanted to do it for one year so a small committee of local people are needed to organise next year's event.
Whilst 15 local people attended the meeting on Wednesday, 14th September, and volunteered for a number of jobs, nobody volunteered to take on the role of Secretary or Treasurer so people are still required to do these roles. They are also looking for more people to help, particularly on the day.
Christine Munro told me "If it is only one hour of their time to help with directing traffic, car parking, helping with the parade and arena events and helping with the sale of raffle tickets. There is so much to do on the day and last year there were only five of us to do it all. We really do need more."
The first Alderley Edge May Fair was supported by grants which included £2,500 from Alderley Edge Institute Trust, £1,800 from the Grassroots Community Fund, £1,000 from the Emerson Trust Fund and £2,750 from Cheshire East Council.
The event cost £7,500 to put on, £2,500 of which were one off payments so they need £5000 to produce a similar event next year. They have just over £2,500 left in the bank and with income from the fairground and catering they can cover 2012 but need to consider how future years can be funded.
Christine has applied for funding from Manchester Airport Community Fund and the Alderley Edge Institute Trust to help them purchase some gazebos for the afternoon tea tent.
She explained "We have money in the bank left from last year to run the event for 2012, but we need to think of some way to raise money so we have enough in the bank for the following year's event.
"Charging at the gates was discussed and it was agreed that we would sell raffle tickets at the gate for £1 each and the money raised from this together with a bucket collection with the parade would hopefully bring us enough to be able to continue and have an annual May Fair in Alderley Edge."
Email Christine Munro, or call her on 01625 251753 if you can help.
