Announcement of Prize Draw

Drawn by the Secretary of the Foyer Rural Tourbes, Chris Ayling, Finding Solutions and Cancer Support France are delighted to announce that the winner of the draw is Mr. Biro, from Serieys. Congratulations Mr. Biro, you will duly receive one full day’s free labour from Finding Solutions SARL, the building and renovation company - see our services at www.findingsolutions.biz .

We are proud to announce that a notable €178.00 was raised in support of Cancer Support France during the hugely successful Christmas Cracker Fair held at Chateau Cassan on Sunday 29th November. The Christmas Cracker Fair this year welcomed more than 4,000 French and English visitors, who enjoyed over a 100 stands offering everything from hand-made gifts to hot wine and minced pies. This wonderful Christmas event has made it possible for local people to join together and support its local artisans. More importantly, the money raised for Cancer Support France was only made possible by the wonderful people who attended the Fair and donated on the day. So thank you for your support.

President of CSF Languedoc, Trish Armson, said: “It is very difficult for charities in today’s economical climate, so we are grateful that Finding Solutions approached us with the idea of raising money in such a creative way. We would also like to thank the organisers of the Christmas Cracker Fair and to everyone who donated on the day.”

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Christmas Cracker Fair – Winners

TOMBOLA

1 Case of wine - Debbi Reid – From Languedoc Fine Wine

2 RAZAQ's Takeaway Curry Marie Despinoy –

3 Lunch at BILL and BENs - Maire Claude Ullern –

4 2 Tickets for Grottes Clamouse - Mathieu Bouchard

5 2 tickets for Cendrillon – Christophe Azzopaide –

6 Full English Breakfast for 2 = English Shop Rue Conti, ...PEZENAS - Marie Blanchard –

7 Webcam from Aveyron Computers – Robina and Stephen Bull

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The rather tired Cracker team

Who would like to thanks all of our

Visitors - so charming

Exhibitors - such a range of delights

Entertainers - a wonderful mix of talents

Makers and purveyors of fine food

Parking helpers - so much easier this year - thanks to Geoff and the Cricket Club team.

And from WoW central "WoW would like especially to thank the Cracker Fair team"

And our partners - who run the liveliest Art Gallery in Herault

Gabby and Richard of ANPQ in Peret

IF you missed the Fair you can look at the tv coverage at

itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=285420501

NOTE

An email has arrived from the jolly man with beard and sleigh

He writes

"Owing to a small disagreement at the toll booth at the Millau viaduct yesterday morning I was unable to make an appearence at Cassan - apparenly my Gold card was not recognised and I do not carry money as if tends to fall out of my pockets when tip toeing around bedrooms"



Shots of the chapel during the fair




And the courtyard





Research

Visitor Numbers

4,021 came to the 2009 fair – a 33% increase over last year.

Visitor research – 5% sample

Rated the show

55% very good
40% good
5% bad

Total positive reaction was 95%

Visitors got their information from


Friends/word of mouth
50%
Midi Libre
16%
Blablablah
13%
Posters
10%
WoW and internet inlcuding AngloInfo
7%
Radio
2%
Languedoc Sun
2%


Nationality

French
45%
UK
37%
US/Canada
5%
Dutch
4%
Nordic
4%
Belgium
3%
Other
4% – more from New Zealand than any other place




Exhibitors - 109 stands – 50% sample



Did you have a good fair?
Good 79%
OK 11%
Bad 0%


Business level



Very good 19%
Good 49%
OK 8%
Bad 16%
Very bad 8%


Visitors numbers

Good 53%
OK 32%
Bad 15%


Would you like to exhibit next year?

Yes 72%
Maybe 20%
No 8%


Generally most comments were constructive and supportive and people who took less money felt it was the effect of the "crise economique" or having the wrong products