Maggie’s Barts’ fundraisers Elin Hookway and Amy Sorrell

A FINSBURY Park dollmaker and fundraisers for a local cancer charity were just two of the stallholders at the historic Charterhouse Christmas fair this week as it opened its 650-year-old doors.

Children looking to meet Father Christmas and shoppers on the prowl for unusual and handmade gifts flocked to the Charterhouse Square institution on Tuesday as it threw its sixth annual festive fair since it opened its doors to the public for the first time in 2017.

Maggie’s Barts, which opened five years ago in West Smithfield, Clerkenwell, is a centre that offers practical and emotional support to those with a cancer diagnosis.

Stewart Martin Johnson with some of his dolls

Making £500 at the fair, fundraiser Amy Sorrell said: “It was wonderful to hold our stall at The Charterhouse Christmas Fair. We’ve had the chance to speak to many people from the local community and raise awareness of the support Maggie’s offers – all while raising vital funds to help keep our doors open to anyone who needs us.”

Stewart Martin Johnson, who has been making dolls for five years, said: “It’s my first time here and I’m flattered to be asked. It’s a very high-end craft fair and it’s very interesting and different.”

Meanwhile Brother Tim Epps – a resident at Charterhouse for seven years who was helping on the day – said: “It’s really nice to live here – we’re very fortunate. It’s nice to be behind its walls and far from the madding crowd. But it’s also just nice to see people in here and enjoying it.”