This winter, Beaulieu came alive with festive cheer as our community gathered to celebrate the start of the Christmas season with events full of warmth and community spirit. 
 

On Saturday 29th November, the Beaulieu Community Centre Christmas Fayre brought local families together for a day of festive fun and seasonal sparkle. Hosted by The Mini Market Beaulieu, the event welcomed visitors throughout the day with a variety of stalls, holiday treats and the much-loved Santa’s Grotto. The fayre was a wonderful opportunity for neighbours to meet, support local businesses and soak up the joyful atmosphere that marks the beginning of the festive season.
 

Just a few days later, on Tuesday 2nd December, Beaulieu Community Centre played host once again, this time to launch the fifth annual Chelmsford Mildmay Rotary Club’s Santa Sleigh tour. With the Mayor of Chelmsford, Councillor Jannetta Sosin, and the Mayoress Chris Shaw, Santa and his elves set off on a 10-night journey to spread Christmas cheer to streets of Chelmsford and beyond, all raising vital funds for local charities across Essex.
 

Outside of the Christmas celebrations, Beaulieu has also recently been proud to join hands with Chelmsford Mildmay Rotary Club to support the global fight against polio. On Monday 24th November, volunteers planted a swathe of vibrant purple crocuses on the grassy area alongside the path between the Beaulieu Community Centre and Sainsbury’s, land which falls under the responsibility of the Land Trust. 
 

When these crocuses bloom in spring, they will stand as a visible reminder of the Purple4Polio campaign and how collective action and global solidarity can protect children worldwide. Beaulieu has arranged for a sign to be installed nearby to explain to passers-by the significance of these purple crocuses and how they relate to the global effort to end polio.
 

From Christmas festivities to supporting international causes, Beaulieu continues to be a place where community connection thrives. We would like to thank The Mini Market Beaulieu, the Chelmsford Mildmay Rotary Club, Beaulieu Estate Management and to all who took part. There’s nothing quite like seeing our community come together as we close out the year.  
 

As we look ahead to the new year, we look forward to seeing the purple crocuses bloom, and to many more moments that bring our community together at Beaulieu.