Ammon News - AMMONNEWS In keeping with tradition, the May Fair, a festival marking the beginning of summer, was held Friday at the British embassy club with the participation of local and foreign institutions and citizens.

The event, under this year's theme "We Love Green" was organized by the British Ladies of Amman to encourage visitors to "think green" and adopt more eco-friendly practices in their daily lives.

"Every little step matters in keeping our environment healthy and clean," the British Embassy statement said.

The fair, attended by British Ambassador in Amman, James Watt, members of the diplomatic mission and embassy staff, along with participation of over 60 local and foreign institutions, included recreational games, food, traditional exhibitions, books, clothes, and music.

For more than thirty years the annual May Fair has been organized by the British Ladies of Amman who volunteered their time and efforts to bring the local and foreign communities together.

Many Jordanians carry fond memories of those days, when gardens were few and social life in Amman was more closely knit. The whole family would come out to the British Ambassador’s Residence on Zahran Street to enjoy a relaxed day in the sun playing games while raising significant sums of money in support of grass-roots social welfare projects in Jordan.

Ten years ago the event moved to the larger location of the British Embassy’s Club in Abdoun. The move allowed an increase in the number of attractions and outlets, as well as people coming to join the fun.

Last year over 3,000 people attended the May Fair. More than 24,000 Jordanian Dinars were raised for a range of small, but high-impact, local charitable projects, many of which do not have the required fund-raising capacity of their own.

This year proceeds will support three Jordanian charities: Society for Special Education based in Ma’an; and Al Shajarah, a newly-established NGO dedicated to protecting and increasing Jordan’s natural forest cover.

The May Fairs, which mark the beginning of summer, are a true British tradition that are still held in villages and communities throughout the UK. It is a fun filled event of games, entertainment, food and refreshments for the whole family and also an opportunity to raise some money for local charities.

* Petra Photo