I THINK the weather for last weekend’s Advent Festival was probably the worst we have ever experienced for the event and for that reason I would like to thank the public for coming out in numbers and supporting this increasingly popular event.

It means so much to all of us involved in organising the day.

To all of you who volunteered and braved the conditions to make it happen, whether it be in setting up, manning the road closures, distributing the programme or carrying a collection bucket, then thank you, we can’t do it without you.

Thanks must also go to those involved, either as a stall holder or on the set-up team for the Farmers’ and Advent Markets, especially Suzie Lew and Colin and Anne Brooker. Fingers crossed that the Christmas Market on December 5 enjoys better weather!

Anyone who saw any of the entertainment on the main stage could not fail to be impressed by the talent on show. Whether they were the young children taking their first steps to a life of entertainment or to the semi-pro and professional artists who really entered into the spirit of the day to give us a great performance, a huge thank you to you all for giving your time.

A big thank you also to our special guest Lisa Maxwell, whose excitement and enthusiasm shone through right down to taking the lead on an impromptu countdown for the firework display – brilliant!

Talking of brilliant, I must thank Nick and his team from Cotswold Fireworks for providing an awesome climax to the day’s proceeding with another staggering firework display that had people gasping with both surprise and enjoyment.

Our street collection raised a total of £67.29 so thank you to anyone who did make a contribution. I think, along with the weather, this was the only other really disheartening aspect of the day. This money will be shared between the Christmas Lights Fund and the Phoenix Festival.

With funding in mind, thank you to all who supported the Advent Festival either with sponsorship, as with Alison Fielden and Kellands, or with logistical support such as from Henry Cole & Co Ltd, Bingham Trust, Havas Helia, UBICO, Tesco, Oops a Daisy and Cotswold Airport. Also to those who took an advert in our programme.

Finally, if you would like to be involved as a volunteer or would like to come and join our friendly band of organisers (the number of which can currently be counted on one hand) then we would be more than happy to hear from you as we prepare for November 26, 2016. Visit ChristmasinCirencester.org.uk for more details.

Thank you all. May I wish you a Very Happy Christmas and Prosperous and Healthy New Year.

NICK BROOK

Event Co-ordinator

Cirencester Town Council