Mrs T buys her Xmas prezzies

Maggie stocks up

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher beat the Christmas rush, when she stocked up on presents at the Finchley and Friern Barnet Conservatives' annual Christmas fair on Saturday.

She spent two hours at the event buying gifts, chatting to the Tory faithful and having lunch.

Mrs Thatcher almost forgot to declare the fete open as she gave a rousing welcoming speech from the stage of St Mary's Church hall, Hendon Lane, Finchley.

She was introduced by her constituency chairman Ron Thurlow, who praised her recent visit to Poland and looked forward to her next trip to the United States.

“I would not like you to think I spend all my time on foreign tours,” Mrs Thatcher joked, saying she spent a good deal of time in Finchley.

“It is from here that I take the flame of friendship, devotion, and loyalty which takes me all over the world, and to which I can always return,” she said.

The reaction of her Finchley constituents helped to fashion foreign policies for the whole country, she added.

Later, she explained: “There is a great divide across Europe between the West and the East and we are trying to put the hands of friendship across that divide.”

The Prime Minister also rejoiced in the Tory victories in the Garden Suburb and Arkley council by-elections.

“Part of the reason we won so well there was that people from here went over there to help,” she said.

“Even though you cannot convert all of the people, you can command the respect of all of them,” she added.

The Prime Minister was presented with a bouquet by Emma Love, four-year-old daughter of constituency agent Mike Love, before descending into the throng for a spot of Christmas shopping.

Cakes and sweets soon filled Mrs Thatcher's Marks and Spencer carrier bag.

“I see you are advertising your favourite store,” said Violet Cleret, of the Conservative Association's East branch.

After winning two bottles on the tombola, Mrs Thatcher paused at a soft toy stall run by Celia and Trevor Lloyd, former Friern Barnet residents, who had travelled from Royston for the fete.

She bought a teddy bear dressed as Father Christmas.

“I suggested it could be something suitable for her grandchild. She normally buys something every year, and goodness knows where they all go,” said Mr Lloyd.

The Prime Minister stocked up on crackers from the North branch stall.

“She usually buys a box. I make them every year. And she bought a raffle ticket for the Christmas cake. She always does that too. I would love her to win it one year, because she could take it down to Downing Street and share it out,” said member Dorothy Pearce.

As she finished the tour, Mrs Thatcher stopped to give an unusual autograph to Trinity branch vice-chairman Pauline Delius.

Mrs Delius had her arm in plaster after a fall, and Mrs Thatcher paid to sign the cast.

“I am asking people for £1 if they sign it to go to the Whittington hospital,” said Mrs Delius.

Mrs Thatcher was joined for lunch by singer song-writer Lynsey de Paul.

The star stayed on to draw the raffles after Mrs Thatcher had sped away in her Daimler.