Hayfield will step into Christmas with a three-day festive event this weekend

Hayfield's The Tent People, funded by Arts Council England, is teaming up with an independent Hayfield market this weekend to offer a packed events calendar.

The Festive Weekender is a collaboration between two independent institutions which serve the High Peak village, near Glossop. 

Handmade Hayfield, a collective of gift makers and market stalls, have joined forces with The Tent People to provide the event from December 1 to 3. 

The events are already held at two venues just yards away from each other - at Hayfield Village Hall and St. Matthew’s Church Hall - which is where they will be held this weekend.

The Tent People is a non-profit social enterprise which is passionate in running local events and have held ten events this year. 

“Our mission is to bring diversity and inclusion to rural areas through arts,” said Co-Director Lyndsay Thomas. 

“It is all about working with other businesses and groups in the community, for the community.” 

In a year that Hayfield lost The Royal Hotel pub, which had a large events space, both Handmade Hayfield and The Tent People have stepped up to fill the cultural gap. 

And this upcoming weekend of events coincides with the ten year anniversary of Handmade Hayfield. 

“There are 32 stallholders at Handmade Hayfield this year,” said Handmade Hayfield founder Laura Hunter. 

“Some of which have been here from the start. There will be a massive mix of present ideas.”

“A huge thanks to those who supported it over the years, because small businesses struggle at the best of times, and these have been some challenging recent years. 

“The reason why it is still here, ten years on, is because people are still shopping here.

“And I am excited to be working with another local, community-minded organisation like The Tent People.”

A new night market, which will coincide with the village’s Christmas lights switch on, will kick-off the packed programme of events from 6:30pm on Friday December 1.

Stallholders from Buxton, Hadfield, Glossop, and Whaley Bridge will also be making an appearance, as well as three local charities too. 

The Tent People will be providing a bar throughout the weekend, as well as hosting DJs and live music artists. 

Local brewers have also been championed through the event, with the only draught taps coming from New Mills beer-makers Torrside and High Peak Cider. 

Thornsett Brass Band will be performing on Saturday, whereas Kinder Mountain Rescue will be performing Christmas carols on Sunday. 

For families, on Saturday and Sunday there are bauble and snow globe making workshops for kids. 

Meanwhile, parents can enjoy shopping and hot food at The Tent People across the road, with pizzas and bratwurst served for everyone throughout the weekend. 

Lyndsay, who moved from Manchester to Hayfield seven years ago, has personally found running The Tent People a great way to meet new people and integrate into the community. 

“It is about bringing arts to the countryside,” said Lyndsay. 

“Some people find it tricky to take the whole family into Manchester for the weekend. That’s why we make everything accessible, and family-friendly.” 

And it is not just Handmade Hayfield which supports the local economy. 

High Peak production staff, event staff and photographers have found paid work through The Tent People’s events. And the cultural variety of the events make a stunning portfolio for local creatives. 

The Tent People’s biggest event of the year, in September, saw 52 creative practitioners get paid work. The Tent People is now in its second year, backed by Arts Council England and National Lottery Funding.

Hayfield resident Joss Underwood is the other Co-Director of The Tent People. 

We want to bring city quality culture into the hills and make it accessible to local people,” said Joss. 

“We try to create a platform for local artists, whether it is making crafts, DJ, poetry, so it is great to team up with Handmade Hayfield and offer festive gifts and entertainment for the community this Christmas.

“We look forward to seeing you this weekend.”