A special opening ceremony by the town mayor and town crier marked the 60th Easter fundraiser event for brothers Martin and Jeremy Holmes.

The Giant Easter Charity Market was a huge hit for shoppers and visitors at the Easter Saturday event held at Petersfield Festival Hall and raised more than £2,000 for local charities.

More than 50 stalls packed into the main hall and Rose Room selling a range of Easter gifts, collectables, scented candles, vintage jewellery and crafts. A giant book stall was set up in the main hall and there was local artwork, cards and prints on sale with wooden gifts and colourful crochet. Local children’s author Glenn McLernon sold his books, which he also illustrates and publishes. There were jams and chutneys and surprise hand-painted gift boxes.

Main organiser Jeremy said: “It was the charities that really made the day a success and the main charity to benefit will be Portsmouth Hospitals cancer fund making a profit of £1,000 thanks to donations, stall rents, takings from the giant book stall and a bumper raffle.

“Thanks are due to Petersfield Tesco for a raffle prize, and other private raffle donations and the sponsors. Including The Petersfield Bookshop; Chapplins of Liss, MRH Removals, Halsa, The Queens Head, John Starling, Sarah of Picketts & Pursers, Fez and Green Globe Solar Ltd.”

A special welcome was given to the poppy knitters for their forthcoming waterfall display marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day and the end of WWII. The group promoted their community project, raising funds and recruiting new knitters for the 6,000 poppies needed.

Funds were also raised for Petersfield Lions, Stroud Evening WI (who ran the café), The Rosemary Foundation, and Petersfield Musical Festival.

Jeremy thanks everyone for their help and support and will be organising a market for Christmas.