If you’re a family with diverse interests and likes, The Old Foundry Chapel’s Christmas programme of events may be just the ticket. The beautiful old building is full of historic features, making Christmas shopping a truly interesting as well as festive affair. It will be decorated in plentiful traditional greenery and fairy lights highlighting the natural stained glass windows and decorated masonry. Mince pies  and christmas cake in the ever popular Duckies café will be reason enough for a visit but in fact we have so much more to offer !

For the ladies, there are shops full of beautiful things to buy and a retreat in the form of a relaxing beauticians where you can get yourself a pedicure after a shopping. There are jewellery and wreath making workshops where you can customize and personalize beautiful artisan created items. You can write your traditional Christmas wish list in store allowing us to contact your loved ones to ensure you get what you actually want for Christmas or for those more comfortable with social media, take a photo or a selfie with the item you want and tag #ofcwishlist via twitter or instagram. You may be the lucky person to win your item !

For the men, there are interesting second hand book, collectables and antiques shops with tools, manuals and other interesting things and plenty of places  – similarly the #ofcwishlist Christmas competition is open to them and a photo tag will relieve the pressures of buying gifts for men. A truly up to date way of organising the gifting season. There will even be an exclusive men only shopping experience on Christmas Eve for certain key shops including a free bacon sandwich and coffee for spends over £50 and free gift wrapping service.

For the kids, From 29th November, your children will be able to post their “letter to Santa” on site and if you include the senders address, you will receive a special reply from father Christmas himself.  There are children’s Christmas workshops  and a Christmas Grotto with a difference as Mrs Christmas steps up to take the helm this Christmas time. A beautiful Cornish made gift will be included in the experience.

There will be late night shopping on Thursday 26th November and 10th December with musical entertainments, mulled wine and some pop up market stalls featuring special local products.

Pretty Useful and Ula will be offering hospitality on Fizzy Fridays throughout December where we offer a glass of Fizz with shopping between 5-7pm.

Our Mrs Christmas Storytelling experience will be for a 20 minute storytelling experience – 5th / 12th / 19th December Tickets available on 01736 755543 or mail hello@oldfoundrychapel.co.uk

In addition we will be running Children’s Workshops –

• 5th December 2-4 – Make your Christmas Decorations – Pom Pom Animals and Robins run by Ewe Knit or Make your Christmas Cards run by Gaelle
• 12th December – 2-4pm Wreath Making workshops run by Twigs and Greens Florist, Jen Simpson & Silver Jewellery Gifts Workshop run by Lucy Kemp
• 19th December – 2-4pm Make your Christmas Decorations using pine cones recycled materials run by Gaelle & Pom Pom workshop

There may be additional ones added nearer the time

Yesterday we had the pleasure of welcoming George Eustice, MP for Camborne, Redruth and Hayle to The Old Foundry Chapel. George grew up in Hayle so is no stranger to the area and knew the Old Foundry back when it was Pratts Market some years ago. We invited George to come and see the changes that have been made, and to meet the vast collection of over 20 independent businesses calling the Foundry their home; the newest of which being Chocali, whose opening day was only last Saturday.

George meeting Alison Barlow, owner of Chocali

George hadn’t visited The Old Foundry Chapel for several years and commented on the large improvements that had been made, especially aesthetically. He chatted to everyone about their business, even buying a gift for his wife. He met Bill Martindale from Cornish Bookworm who dug out several old books about MPs in cornwall, there used to be 44! And discussed with Kirsten (owner of The Old Foundry Chapel) the challenges facing new businesses.

We’d like to thank George for taking the time out of his busy schedule to come to visit and meet us all, and hope his wife Katy enjoys her salted caramels!

Everyone will be pulling all the last details together this week for our fabulous Charity event on Saturday 10-5 (as well as making some fairly significant changes to the shops themselves):

The activities will include a day full of workshops, music, good food and pop up shops in aid of CHSW:

• Make a pretty flower vase – with Jen,from Twigs & Greens
• Make a handmade craft card with Julie from Hobby Crafts Cornwall
• Children’s stamping workshop with Lucy Kemp Jewellery
• Make a designer notice board with Vicki from too chy chy
• Try out Camera-less photography (using different photographic paper) with Paul from Foundry Gallery Art & Antiques, Hayle
• Dress up in Vintage and partake in a pop up photo booth with Daisy Potter Vintage Clothes
• Entertainments / busking throughout the day including the Whippletree Ceilidh Band.
• Duckies Cafe Food, Coffee, Tea and Lunches and a strawberry and cream stand
• Local chocolate makers Chocali are joining us for a Pop up shop and we will be selling lovely cupcakes from Rustic Cakes.
• A secret auction, guess the number of sweets and win a cuddly toy.

All in all – A fantastic line up – a wonderful day assured. Parking in the car park opposite or 3 hours free at Asda. Please Share, share, share.https://www.facebook.com/events/100252516980918/