Grange Church Christmas Fayre returns on 7 November

If you're starting to think about Christmas presents, the Christmas Fayre at Grange United Reformed Church in Southcote is worth putting in your diary. Members of the church are holding their annual fayre on Saturday 7 November 2026, with doors opening at 2.30pm. The venue is on Circuit Lane, so it's a short walk from the Circuit Lane bus stop if you're coming from elsewhere in Reading.

The fayre mixes charity stalls with independent sellers. Among the independent stalls you'll find handmade crafts, gifts, jewellery and seasonal decorations, so it's a good place to look for something a bit different from the high street. The charity stalls are there too, which means that whatever you buy will also support a good cause. Reading Today, which first reported on the event, describes it as a traditional gathering, and that feels right for a church event that has been part of the local community for a long time.

There's plenty to try your luck at as well. The programme includes a raffle, which is drawn at 4pm, a surprise tombola, a children's lucky draw prize stall and a teddy toy stall. You'll also find a tombola, a mug tombola, and a selection of books, CDs, DVDs and puzzles. It's a relaxed afternoon for families, and the children's lucky draw in particular gives younger visitors something to look forward to. The event wraps up at around 4.30pm, so you have roughly two hours from the opening time.

One practical thing to sort out before you set off is payment. Entry costs £0.50 for adults and £0.20 for children, and both entry and purchases at all stalls are cash only, as Reading Today points out. It's worth stopping at a cash machine beforehand, especially if you plan to join the raffle or the tombolas, as you'll want some coins and notes on you when you reach the tables.

The church itself has its own history to explore. According to its website, this year marks its 70th anniversary. The congregation began in the early 1950s in a former milking shed on Southcote Grange Farm, known affectionately as "The Barn", before the church building itself opened in November 1958. If you're curious about that story, the About page on the church's website has more detail, and the main site at grangeurcreading.org.uk also lists the church's regular services and community events.

If you're planning a visit, bring some cash, a bit of time for the raffle, and an open mind about what you might pick up. It's a low-key way to start the festive season and to browse some handmade gifts without the crowds you'd find in town.