Forget the internet – Marlborough is the place to go for your Christmas shopping. That’s the message as the town prepares for its biggest night of the festive season – the switching on of the Christmas lights.
The Christmas lights will be switched on at 7pm on Thursday, November 29 – and there will be an unprecedented selection of gifts on offer from 3pm to 8pm.
While shopkeepers throw open their doors for a spot of Late Night Shopping, the centre of High Street will be dominated by the 45 stall-strong Marlborough Communities Market, which will be replicating its popular monthly local produce market, but with a distinctly festive theme.
A cornucopia of locally-produced festive fare is promised, and stallholders have donated goodies – including a turkey, speciality stuffing and award-winning chipolatas, venison burgers and organic vegetables, handmade chocolates, cheeses, stollen and sweet treats – which will be offered in a prize draw.
Organisers will also be giving away a free Marlborough Communities Market jute bag to 500 lucky shoppers – perfect for carting away Christmas gifts!
Meanwhile, the Town Hall will be fit to burst with 22 stalls featuring local artists and craftspeople offering handmade gifts, from Christmas tree and table decorations to jewellery, glassware and paintings at We Love Marlborough’s Christmas Art and Gift Market.
Upstairs at the Town Hall, Santa will be welcoming children to his grotto while professional artist James Aldridge will be helping youngsters – and their families – to make Christmas crowns.
And for the first time, We Love Marlborough are offering parents the chance to pre-book an appointment with Father Christmas, or a place on one of the workshops.
Organiser Louisa Davison said: “Last year Santa was the busiest he’s ever been, and as no-one likes to queue we’re making it possible for parents to pre-book a slot for their children to see Father Christmas between 3.30pm and 5.30pm.
“Hopefully this will reduce the waiting time for the youngest children. Bookings from 6pm to 8pm can be made on the day, at the Town Hall.”
For more information, or to book a place on the Christmas crowns workshop, or an appointment with Santa, log on to www.welovemarlborough.co.uk
- Other activities include a bouncy castle and letter writing to Santa from 3pm to 8pm at Ducklings Toy Shop in Hilliers Yard. The annual Children’s Choir Competition takes place from 6pm at St Mary’s Church and Marlborough Community Choir will be performing on the Town Hall steps from 7pm to 7.15pm. The lights will be switched on at 7pm by Marlborough Town Council’s Citizen of the Year, whose identity is – for now – a closely-guarded secret.
