A Christmas fair with a difference is planned for the East End this year. `Art in the Park', to be held at the Kindley Field Park at the end of this month, will provide a showcase of Christmas items for Bermuda's artists and crafters -- and help support charity at the same time.

Organised by Joan Aspinall, Rose Ann Wales and Stephen Paynter, it is hoped that as many people as possible will take part in the day-long event.

"We are hoping that individuals, schools, businesses and charitable organisations will support us -- even those who are not wonderful artists! If anyone would like help in learning how to make the Bermuda woven wreaths from the Tacoma vine, please contact me as soon as possible.'' Mrs. Aspinall said the idea for `Art in the Park' grew out of an organisation she has just formed, called SPIN (Stewardship for People in Need).

On a visit to South Carolina, she passed through a town called Kingstree.

Shocked at the degree of poverty -- the worst in that state and acknowledged as among the worst in the US -- Mrs. Aspinall felt that something must be done. "I formed SPIN with the idea of trying to help these people. Now that will probably stop people in their tracks. For one of the smallest countries in the world sending aid to one of the largest in the world is a bit like `the mouse that roared'! Why would the wealthiest consumer nation on the face of this earth need aid? Well,I don't know -- but they do. We will have a container at the Christmas Fest and I'm hoping that people will bring as many items as possible to help these people. Stephen Paynter, who is traffic manager for the Somers Isles Shipping Ltd. (managed by Container Ship Manager and represented by Meyer Agencies) has just told me that his company is donating a container, freight free, which will be a wonderful help.'' Participants can also use the fair for any charity they wish.

Further investigation into conditions in Kingstree revealed that there is a mission that extends care to about 80 children in the town. "They work with the black poor, which account for almost the entire population. Untrained, unemployed, forever condemned to live out existences in cages of poverty and neglect, these people seem to be invisible in this area which is surrounded by wealth! They live in dilapidated wooden shacks, balanced above the rain and mud by cinder blocks. There are mounds of trash because there is no garbage collection and no one has any transportation to drive to the dump. I think,'' she adds, "that being one of the world's wealthiest countries, we tend to forget the shocking state in which some people have to live. I believe we are all stewards. We are stewards of every talent that's been given to us to use to the best of our ability. The abundance of material goods on this Island is monumental and Bermudians are well known for coming to the aid of people in need. The people of Kingstree, South Carolina are in dire need. They seem to have fallen off the map and no one seems to care about them. I think it would be wonderful if we could extend some help by sending them Christmas parcels.'' Some of the statistics on Kingstree quoted by Mrs. Aspinall make uncomfortable reading. According to the 1994 census, African Americans formed 64 percent of the population with an annual per capita income of $7,630, an educational drop-out rate of 39 percent, and 40 percent of children being born to single mothers. As of July 1995, 13 percent were unemployed, 39 percent lived below the poverty line, with 12 percent listing `wood' as their chief heating source. "There is little steady employment, seasonal work being offered in tobacco and cotton, or being driven -- one way -- 70 miles, to work in the hotels and restaurants during the tourism season.'' Mrs. Aspinall said that there was a need for warm clothing, blankets and pillows, as well as household goods and toys. "Rose Ann, who works for the Prison Fellowship, will also collect any summer clothing brought to the container and re-allocate it to their charity shipment that is being sent to Barbados.'' Mrs. Aspinall asked that all goods are boxed, taped and ready for shipping.

"Because they have to go through US Customs, all goods have to be itemised and marked `used'. Please make sure that all items are washed and clean, and make a note of everything, printed clearly. Please give your box a four composite number, eg. 9087, and the corresponding packing list the same number for use by Customs.'' `Art in the Park' Christmas Fest takes place on Saturday, November 28 at Kindley Field Park (next to the bridge) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Anyone wishing to participate please contact The Art Studio (297-2920 or 293-2529) for further details or obtain a registration form from Pet Care, South Road, Devonshire.