Christmas crafters in Penwortham raise £1,250 in battle against cancer

Norma, left, and Margaret, second left, on their tombola stall at Penwortham Christmas Market

A Christmas wreath-making workshop in Penwortham’s St Leonard’s Church Hall helped to raise £1,250 for Rosemere Cancer Foundation.

Longstanding Penwortham neighbours and Rosemere Cancer Foundation fundraisers Norma Blackburn and Margaret Dunn are the brains behind the event and have been organising it for the past four years.

The pair have already been asked to repeat the festive craft session next year by those keen to reserve one of its 50 places.

Norma and Margaret were helped by their sons Simon Blackburn and James Dunn, as well as Penwortham couple Dave and Kate Haworth, who gathered wreath-making supplies from local gardens. Step-by-step tuition on how to transform it into a decorative door wreath was then given by former local florist Gill Salisbury Wilson, assisted by her son Owen and daughter Jen.

Some of those who attended the workshop with their beautiful festive door wreaths

Gill’s husband Stephen, Simon and James, who are all former chefs, also kept the crafters refreshed with sausage rolls, mince pies, star-shaped shortbread biscuits, mulled wine and mulled cider. They were helped in the kitchen by Margaret Hatton.

Norma said: “We had a lovely time. Thank you to everyone who came, those who gifted foliage, to Gill for helping us make beautiful wreaths and to Stephen, Simon, James and Margaret for the delicious refreshments.”

Following the event, Norma and Margaret set up a tombola stand to boost funds raised for Rosemere Cancer Foundation at Penwortham Christmas Market.

Did you attend the wreath-making workshop or have you made one of your own this Christmas? Let us know in the comments.