Barnet's annual Christmas Fayre defied the weather and brightened up a rainy Sunday as crowds thronged the High Street and supported events and attractions at venues around the town centre.

Councillor Nagus Narenthira, the Mayor of Barnet, cut a red ribbon to open the fayre and she described her pride at being asked to officiate at an historic event at the start of seasonal celebrations.

“Over the years, I have heard so much about Barnet Christmas Fayre.

“I can see how it is a great opportunity for members of the local community to meet each other and socialise.”

Cllr Narenthira – (seen above, from left to right, Susi Earnshaw, Peter Neville-Jackson, Pina Griffin, Theresa Villiers, MP, Cllr Narenthira, and Councillor David Longstaff) – joined the audience for a series of performances in the Christmas courtyard in front of Barnet College.

A selection of Christmas carols by the Barnet Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Association band under their conductor and leader Alan King opened the event.

In her contribution to the opening ceremony, Theresa Villiers said that as constituency MP for Chipping Barnet, she knew how important the fayre had become in providing a boost for local shops and charities.

For much of the day there was quite a crush as people crowded round stalls inside The Spires Shopping Centre -- and children lined up to meet the two wish fairies, Wendy and Wilma.

One of the many performances in The Spires was by the London Youth Concert Band under their conductor Fred Slide.

The weather was a disappointment for the organisers who had put so much effort into laying on performances and attractions across the town centre – at the Christmas Courtyard, The Bull Theatre, the parish church, the Wesley Hall, and The Spires.

This annual free event has always encouraged the greatest possible participation by local groups and societies and has a proud record in raising money for their charities and supporters with over £4,000 being raised at the fayre in each of the last two years.

For High Barnet councillor Emma Whysall this year’s fayre was extra special event – as thanks to her efforts the Christmas lights on lampposts along the High Street extend all the way to the Monken Holt public house.

Funds from Barnet’s community infrastructure levy were used to purchase extra lights to extend them to the upper stretch of the High Street beyond the junction with St Albans Road.

Despite the weather, there was plenty of interest in the High Street line-up of nine vintage cars belonging to members of the Barnet Classic Car Club.

Pride of place went to a 1904 Cadillac owned by Howard Pryor who explained its history to two of the neighbourhood police officers based at High Barnet Police Station – PC Craig Choughari (Barnet Vale) and PC Ben Knight (Whetstone).

Along at the High Street stand of Hadley Football Club – who play at Brickfield Lane, Arkley – all the talk was about their fight to prevent the team’s relegation from the Southern League Division One Central.

At present Hadley – or The Bricks as they are known to their supporters – are third from bottom.

After an away match with Kempston Rovers on Saturday 9 December, the club has two important pre-Christmas home fixtures, against Barton Rovers on Saturday 16 December, and Stotfold on Saturday 23 December.

“It is only our second season in this division, which is at step four in the non-league pyramid, and we are determined to concentrate all our efforts on avoiding relegation. We finished ninth in the table last season, so hopefully we will be OK,” said club spokesman Olly Deed (above, right) with club president, Tristan Smith.