Dear ED's I have been a event organiser for many years. The biggest cost to any organiser is the marquee. It is advisable to get it sponsored as it is so expensive. Estimate your stall/trade stand space then multiply it by three, then add 10% for buggies and fire extinguishers etc. thats the secret to a non crowded marquee. In respect of not seeing Santa Claus, I can advise that Santa will be at Booteeki, Melbourne Grove, East Dulwich on the second and third weekend of December. This Santa is very good! far better than any other store or Harrods. I saw him at St Pancras International last weekend, (he was on Channel Four last Christmas and is also pencilled in for either the Jeremy Vine or Chris Evans shows on BBC Radio Two in the coming weeks). Santa enthused that Booteeki is the very best (temporary) Grotto there is and boast's sheepskin rugs on the floor, presents for the children and chocolate coins(which is a currency in Lapland). Santa buys carrots with the stalks on and mince pies, organic of course, locally as his reideers love eating both! While Santa was in East Dulwich two years aqo a new baby reindeer was born - he named it 'Dulwich'. In closing, please do not be to critical on event organisers. My experience is that people believe you just turn up, set up the event and thats it. Look at this way, how long does it take you to organise a family event? try multiplying that time/numbers with the gate figures of a fair, and you go some way to realising how hard it is...... Here endeth the first lesson.