Evesham celebrates start of festive season

Buy photos » Santa Claus flew in to help switch on the lights. Picture by DK Photographic.

THE SOUND of sleigh bells could be heard in Evesham as a bumper crowd turned out to see the town's Christmas lights switched on by Bob the Builder.

Saturday's (November 17) spectacular festive opener heralded the start of numerous events which will bring plenty of festive cheer to the town over the coming weeks.

Hundreds of people joined in with the countdown to the Christmas lights switch on with Bob the Builder and Santa which was followed by a spectacular firework display.

Earlier in the day the fun started at 11am with a charter market in the town centre, Christmas craft fayre in the Town Hall and a Victorian Penny Arcade.

There was also plenty of live music on stage in Market Place as well as the first draw for £1,000 of Evesham shopping vouchers as part of the YES loyalty card scheme.

Ian Hepher of Battleton Road was the lucky winner and is now looking forward to a Christmas spending spree.

Mr Hepher said: "The YES vouchers couldn’t have come at a better time as we’ve recently moved to Evesham and are currently renovating our new home.

"With Christmas just around the corner, it’ll also be nice to enjoy one or two meals out and make sure we have everything we need for the festive period."

Next on the calendar is the Rotary Club’s Tree of Light illumination on Thursday, December 6. The event starts at 6pm at the Workman Gardens and more than 1,000 lights with ensure the 90-foot tree is seen from all corners of the town.

Carols and the Celebration Reed and Brass Band will both be part of the evening and anyone can sponsor the Tree by visiting www.eveshamtreeoflight.co.uk

Over the following three days – from Friday, December 7 to Sunday, December 9 – Christmas Skating will return to Evesham with an ice rink in the Market Place. Skating is £3 per session.

Finally, the run-up to the big day will finish with a magical traditional Christmas Market, complete with log cabins, festive stalls, decorations and seasonal food. The Market will run from Friday, December 14 to Monday, December 24.

Shawn Riley, Evesham Market Town Partnership manager, said: "There really is so much going on for people to enjoy in the run up to Christmas.

"Saturday was just the start. It was a fantastic day, full of festive fun and enjoyed by everyone."

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