THE Fernhurst Centre’s autumn gift fair marked the launch of the Fernhurst Calendar and village Christmas cards, on Saturday.

Scouts from Fernhurst will be acting as postmen and women again this year delivering Christmas cards around the village – and in Liphook – for just 25p, the price of a specially designed stamp.

The calendar has photos of local scenes for each month, while this year’s Christmas cards feature three hand-painted views from around Fernhurst.

Antonia Plant, a volunteer at the centre, said sales at the fair were very brisk.

She said: “The cards and calendars are often bought to send to family and friends abroad as a very personal way of sending seasonal greetings with a unique local flavour.

“I love the idea of pictures of Fernhurst on people’s walls on the other side of the world.”

The teenagers were on hand to publicise the Scout’s Christmas post service.

No fewer than 19 members of the 1st Fernhurst Scouts responded to the challenge and posed for photos by one of the posting boxes which is already in place at the Fernhurst Centre for early-bird card writers.

Any card posted at the centre before Saturday, December 19, will be hand delivered in the Fernhurst and Liphook area, including Passfield, Conford and Bramshott.

Scout leader Sue Gibbon, said: “The Scouts love playing at being postmen and women at Christmas and sales of the colourful Fernhurst stamps have gone well, it should be a bumper December for the Fernhurst Scout Post.”

Post boxes will be at the centre and also at the Scout HQ, Sainsbury’s, Gables News, Route 6, Passfield Store, the Co-op, Countrywide Stores, Hiscocks Pet Supplies and The Deer’s Hut pub at Griggs Green.

An “absolute sell-out” were the Fernhurst Centre’s new handy jute shopping bags – in 12 colours ranging from purple through fuchsia to peacock blue.

Centre volunteer manager Pauline Colcutt said: “We knew they would be popular because of the stunning colours, and because of the new plastic bag tax. In addition many people have bought the bags to fill with a variety of wrapped presents, a bit like a useful Christmas stocking.

“We are already on our third re-order and sales are still strong, and we will be selling these all year round.”

Other stallholders sold hand-made silver jewellery, fun sponge bags and pouches as well as scarves, costume jewellery and glass tree decorations, all perfect Christmas presents.

When not hosting the gift fair, the centre offers a place to go for coffee, to read the papers or meet a friend.

“At this time of year it is busy with computer, iPad and tablet courses to help people make the most of their devices,” Pauline added. “The uptake is also good for new courses ‘how to sell on e-bay’ and an ‘introduction to researching family history’ as well as the one-off November course in ‘Making Christmas gifts and decorations using needle felting’.”

For more information on computer and craft courses call 01428 641931 or visit the centre at Crossfield, Vann Road, GU27 3JL.

You can also find more information about the courses by going to www.fern hurstcentre.org.uk