Eat scones. Admire quilts. Inspect woodwork. Drink tea. Buy puddings. Browse bargains. Find flowers. It's a list of things to do at Paton Hall Fete in Coopernook on November 9.
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Elaine Windred is one of a team of volunteers from the Lower Manning Uniting Church congregation who is working to prepare for the fete which is held in the grounds of Coopernook Uniting Church, next to its popular Pop Up Op Shop, which is now a permanent fixture in Paton Hall.
It's an annual event that is renowned for its stalls laden with baking by some of the best home cooks in the region, and this year it will also feature woodwork by two popular and acclaimed craftsmen, Allan Cross and Chris Pearson. Mr Cross is a regular at The Hub Markets in Taree and will also have opals for sale that he has sourced on fossicking trips. There will also be an abundance of craft items and a quilt exhibition organised by Dorothy Pearson. Fresh flowers will also be sold for the first time.
Elaine says members of the congregation and Coopernook Pop Up Op Shop have been working hard to prepare for the event which raises money to help meet church expenses. The fete will also have devonshire tea and a barbecue lunch.
The fete will also provide the community with the opportunity to bring items to support two donation drives; the congregation is collecting school stationery supplies to gift to local smaller schools in Coopernook, Lansdowne, Upper Lansdowne, Hannam Vale, Moorland, Johns River and Harrington. The Back to School drive began in September and will stop at the end of November. It aims to help students in need to get through the school year with new school supplies such as notebooks, pencils, crayons, a sharpener, pencil case or lunchbox.
It is also collecting personal care items and toiletries for its second donation drive for Orange Sky; the mobile service that provides a free laundry service for homeless or vulnerable men and women in Taree, Laurieton, Wauchope, Port Macquarie and Kempsey. Donations of deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, body wash, moisturiser, sunblock, travel tissues, wet wipes and lip balms can be placed in the orange tub in the op shop.
"We believe it's important to be a giving community, it's not meant to be patronising in any way, it's being able to see a need, whether it be school supplies or toiletries, and inviting people to support others who need a little help."
The Paton Hall Fete in the grounds of Coopernook Uniting Church in Petrie Street will begin at 9am and end around 2pm.
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