Kersey Mills Christmas Workshop raises funds for its restoration

In its ninth year, Alison and Steve de Lara-Bell, a husband and wife team, have been organising their Christmas Workshop for young children to meet Santa, get creative and have fun, all with the aim to raise money for the restoration of Kersey Mill.

Kersey Mill is a listed building and when Alison and Steve bought the site, the mill was in a dire condition, they hoped by raising money over the years, it could be restored to its former woking glory.

Alison said: "This is our ninth year of raising money and we are pleased to report that through events like this one, we are now at the stage where we can start milling, and we will be holding milling demonstrations next year, in 2022, for the public.

"Our Christmas Workshop has been so popular, that unfortunately, this year we've even had to turn some people away.

"Its popularity comes from how the workshop is unique, it's different it's not like a normal Grotto, it's more of an interactive experience where the children get involved with the elves and the story we have created for them.

"All of our staff are local people from the community, teenagers, who use this opportunity to boost their confidence and get work experience, over the years, three of our girls who have worked here have gone onto to become school teachers."

The workshop experience is held every year in the month of December up until the 23rd. Alison added: "We start preparing in October and the event has got bigger and bigger each year, now we have train rides and disco's, but it's something me and my husband love doing.

"Bringing a bit of magic each year, seeing the faces of the children when they first enter Father Christmas' work shop, makes it all worth while."

The event is now finished but you can scroll to the top of the page to see more pictures of the Workshop experience that Alison and her husband have created.

If you would like to find out more about Kersey Mill and this event you can visit their website here: Kersey Mill Website

Hadleigh gets a glimpse of Santa and his sleigh here...

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