Thanks to everyone who came along to the Fort Purbrook Contemporary Craft Fair in November.

This event had been a long time coming, the original date having had to be postponed because of the pandemic. However, it was worth the wait, and the customers flocked along, despite the heavy rain over both days.

I hadn’t been to Fort Purbrook before. It is an impressive Victorian building, set up on Portsdown Hill, overlooking the city of Portsmouth and the sea beyond. It is one of several forts built along the cliff top to defend against any foes coming from the coast. However, they were never needed for active service.

Inside it is a warren of interconnecting small rooms, some with arched ceilings, that used to house the soldiers. These were where all the stalls were set up for the craft fair.

This unusual venue is now used as an activity centre most of the time. However, attendees could sign up for a tour of the old tunnels below the building as part of their visit. Unfortunately as a smallholder, I had to remain on my stand.

I was pleased to be able to hang some of my wall pieces up behind me, in addition to the table display.

There was a wide array of Christmas gifts on offer, to suit all tastes and budgets. Best sellers for me were the Christmas decorations – particularly robins – plus dragons (of course) and little glass sculptures mounted on stones.

From the handmade fudge stall in the entrance hall, to the cafe serving bacon butties at the far end, there was plenty of choice for food and drink.

All in all, it was a fun weekend that spread some Christmas cheer, despite the torrential rain outside!