Thank you to everyone who joined us for our 20th Anniversary Spring Fair at Emmaus Bolton. The event was held to mark two decades of Emmaus Bolton supporting people with experience of homelessness in the town and our food pantry for local families in need.

The charity Spring Fair welcomed supporters old and new, with something for everyone to enjoy. Afternoon tea was fully booked, burgers were served hot off the barbecue, and visitors tucked into our café menu and sampled locally-made Mrs Dowsons Dairy Farm flavours from Emmaus Bolton’s ice-cream parlour. Our charity shops and services were open on the day, with plenty of bargains and unique finds on offer.

Guests could enter a free £100 prize draw by picking up one of our quiz sheets and had the chance to nominate a Bolton-based charity to receive a voucher to spend in our shops and services. You can see more pictures in our gallery at the bottom of this page.

Our outdoor handmade games, created in the Emmaus Bolton furniture-making wood workshop, were a hit with visitors. Andres and Zak, along with trustees George, John, Carole and Conor, tested their skills on the big buzz-wire, giant knock-down tower and noughts and crosses games.

We were also delighted to welcome Emmaus UK ambassador, quizmaster and BBC radio presenter Jay Flynn MBE, along with his wife Sarah and son Jack. Jay kindly brought birthday cupcakes for our community to celebrate this special milestone.

A big thank you to Rob and Dave for running the barbecue, and to recycling volunteer Hazel and her husband for setting up our ‘Made By Emmaus Volunteers’ stall, packed with items upcycled from our Scrap Store.

Rob, who recently joined our community, said: ““It was really entertaining. The games were good.  The fact Emmaus Bolton has been helping people for 20 years is really great. It’s helping me out and doing the best it can. Twenty years of helping people get rehoused and moving them on is great.”

Thank you to everyone who helped make our 20th anniversary Spring Fair a memorable and meaningful celebration.

If you would like to find out how you can support our charitable work in Bolton, visit Emmaus Bolton’s support us page here.

Carissa and four-year-old Patricia enjoy afternoon tea that supporters could book during the 20th Anniversary Spring Fair.
Volunteer Hazel with the teddies, bags, bucket hats and other fantastic goods upcycled by her team of recycling volunteers at Emmaus Bolton
CEO Tony Stephenson is presented with birthday cup cakes by Emmaus UK Ambassador, Jay Flynn's son Jack
Andres and Rob give the 20th Anniversary Spring Fair the thumbs up outside the charity home, shops and services
Supporters Abbie and Lewis take part in the 20th Anniversary Quiz for the chance to win a £100 Emmaus Bolton voucher
Rob and Dave helped serve guests at the 20th Anniversary barbecue
Cakes, scones and sandwiches on a three-tiered stand in the charity's kitchen
Visitors Victoria, Laurie and Perran bought a plant from the charity garden centre
John and Conor try their hand at the giant wooden knock-down tower, created in the charity's wooden furniture-making workshop.
George has a go at the giant buzz wire, made by Emmaus Bolton