After Christmas markets in late November were disrupted by snow, rain and wind, organisers are hoping for better weather on Sunday 1 December for the annual Barnet Christmas Fayre.

Traffic diversions will be in place as the High Street and surrounding venues in the town centre are filled with nearly 100 stalls and will host a wide variety of events and performances.

Councillor Tony Vourou, the Mayor of Barnet, will open the fayre at 12noon outside the Post Office alongside the band of Barnet Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Association.

There will be dancing and other events all afternoon from 12.30pm in the performance tent on the courtyard of Barnet and Southgate College.

Craft stalls in the Tudor Hall and a range of other attractions will fill the Christmas courtyard.

Across Wood Street at the parish church there will be performances by the Big Choir and pupils from the Susi Earnshaw Theatre School followed by a community carol service at 5pm and bell ringing.

The Bull Theatre will host Santa’s grotto, and children will be greeted by performing elves from the theatre school as they wait to see Father Christmas.

Stalls and live music will fill the courtyards of The Spires Shopping Centre and the Wesley Hall with the Christmas Cafe opening at 12noon.

Last year the fayre, which is organised from the Bull Theatre by Barnet Arts Charity raised £4,000 for various charities.

Barnet Classic Car Club will be exhibiting a display of nine classic and vintage cars in the High Street and will be holding a raffle in aid of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice. The prize is a ride in a “dream car” of choice.

Among those on display will be the New Era Mini car of club stalwart Chris Nightingale; a 1973 Triumph Stag; a Triumph TR4a; a 1939 Morris commercial ambulance; and a 1923 three-litre tourist trophy Bentley which was first registered in 1923 and was used for racing at Goodwood and Le Mans events for vintage Bentleys from the 1920s. 

Rehearsals are well underway for the Christmas panto at the Bull Theatre – “Believe in the Magic” which is described as a polar adventure.

Drama teacher Louis Costa, seen above with Susi Earnshaw, is the producer and director of the show which is being presented by Bull Theatre Productions.

A centre piece is a replica of the front of a train made by sculptor and artist Cos Gerolemou.

There will be two shows a day over eight Saturdays and Sundays in December – December 7/8; December 14/15; December 21/22; and December 23/24.