FAMILIES enjoyed a fun-filled fair brimming with Christmas spirit and joy at the home of a world-famous Tiptree business. 

The Wilkin and Sons Tiptree factory hosted a festive fair at its Factory Hill site, helping spread festive cheer to residents following the news the Tiptree Christmas Fayre will no longer be going ahead.

At the entrance to the Christmas event, visitors were welcomed in by staff member Nicky Goldsack, who was said to be very popular as she greeted them with an offer of mulled wine or hot chocolate.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Grotto: Santa in his grotto at the eventGrotto: Santa in his grotto at the event (Image: Wilkin and Sons)

Christmas trees of all sizes, also prominently on display, were homegrown on the Wilkin and Sons site and cut down just the day before the fair.

Visitors were even able to choose their own fresh Christmas tree to take home and decorate before they were wrapped and readied for the families.

In celebration of the start of the festive period, guests gathered in the Secret Garden area of the site.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Greeting: Nicky Goldsack greeted visitorsGreeting: Nicky Goldsack greeted visitors (Image: Wilkin and Sons)

Younger members of families were also able to have a chat with Santa Claus in his cosy grotto and meet Santa’s busy Elf.

A spokesman for Wilkin and Sons said: “The crisp cold Saturday and the damp Sunday didn’t dispel the enthusiasm of the visitors as they were greeted with hot chocolate and mulled wine; later many shoppers emerged with chocolate and cheeses, jewellery and pottery as well as treats for dogs and handcrafted gifts for all the family.

“Almost 60 Tiptree farm grown Christmas trees were sold, and almost 100 mugs of hot chocolates and mulled wine kept everyone warm across both days.”

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Festive: Santa and his elfFestive: Santa and his elf (Image: Wilkin and Sons)

Organiser, Aimee Meredith marketing manager for Tiptree tea rooms, said: “We were delighted with the support we received from the stall holders, our in house team and the local community.

“We invited small crafters to sell their wares and we offered visitors a chance to sample Cole’s puddings, Tiptree alcohols, Thursday Cottage curds and biscuits from Tiptree Patisserie; there was even a chance to get some tips about ‘Cooking with Tiptree’.”