Christmas Comes Early at Presents Galore
This year’s Presents Galore was a landmark event in many ways. Having been run in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support for over 30 years, the three-day Christmas shopping extravaganza was for the first time raising funds for Racing Welfare and Palace House, Newmarket. Organised by Racing Welfare and bolstered by a new event committee, the 2019 renewal of Presents Galore saw more than 4000 shoppers flock to Newmarket’s Rowley Mile racecourse over the course of this weekend (22nd – 24th November).
The fair offered a treasure trove of gift ideas, with every area of the Courtyard, the bars surrounding it and the first two levels of the Millennium Stand taken up by over 120 beautiful boutique stands selling products ranging from belts to blazers, mugs to rugs, and chocolate to candles. The racecourse’s Bistro was the site for a wonderful selection of quality food and drink producers this year, housing a mouth-watering selection of edible goodies capable of whetting the appetite of foodies everywhere.
Racing Welfare’s ambassador Darren ‘Birdie’ Bird was on hand across the weekend creating bespoke Christmas cards in his inimitable style for passing shoppers, a truly unique card to receive through the post for those lucky enough to be sent one. Birdie has designed a special Christmas tree decoration and his 2020 desk calendars are on sale now too, all of which raise funds for Racing Welfare when purchased through his website.
Festive shoppers were treated to a glorious range of gift ideas at Presents Galore
We are so happy that shoppers have come in droves to support this year’s event
Mark Loades
Mark Loades, Racing Welfare’s Head of Fundraising, was delighted with how the weekend had gone, saying,
We are absolutely thrilled at the response we have had from people visiting Presents Galore this year. Taking over such an established and highly regarded event means that we had to be sure to deliver the experience people have come to expect. We are so happy that shoppers have come in droves to support this year’s event and have enjoyed it so much in the process.
Presents Galore is hugely important to Newmarket as a town and aside from shopping, members of the local community also got involved with the event through carol singing throughout the weekend. Children from Fairstead House School Choir brought a wonderful festive atmosphere on Friday evening, with The Kitchen Choir and Newmarket Community Choir providing the entertainment on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
Funds raised by Presents Galore will go towards funding Racing Welfare projects, working to support all of racing’s people throughout their lives; and Palace House, Newmarket, which houses the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art.
This year’s Presents Galore was kindly supported by Newmarket Racecourses, The Jockey Club and Jockey Club Catering, alongside event partners Adnams and Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai. The event was also generously sponsored by Genesis Green Stud, Upton Suffolk Farms, Willingham House Stud, New England Stud, Lordship Stud, Saracen Horse Feeds, Canary Thoroughbreds, The Euston Estate, The Swan at Lavenham, Tweenhills Farm & Stud and Whitsbury Manor Stud.
The date for next year’s Presents Galore will be released soon.