I WRITE, via your letters page, to give my thanks to everyone who was involved in making the Advent Festival such a success this year.

It was encouraging that so many businesses, retailers and the wider community wanted to join with us to make the day a memorable one. 

If I have omitted anyone, please accept my apologies, the Town Council will also be publishing a full list of thanks on the Christmas in Cirencester website (christmasincirencester.org.uk).

Once again we are indebted to our main sponsor Alison Fielden for her continued support to this important annual community event as well as our other sponsors Wenn Townsend for their contribution to the Christmas tree.

To the many shops and businesses that entered into the spirit of the day this year by providing some Christmas Sparkle of varying degrees; we are grateful for your commitment which I hope was rewarded with a great trading day. 

Throughout the town there were a number of pop up performances and surprises and I would like to thank students of Cirencester College, Cameron McGregor, Cirencester Dance Academy, Silly Cow Fancy Dress and Planet All-Stars to name just some who gave up their time to add atmosphere to the day.

To all the performers who gave freely of their time to give such excellent entertainment on the main stage throughout the day and prove once again that Cirencester really does have a wealth of varied talent, thank you.

The new Santa Grotto was a huge success and thanks must go to Cirencester Chamber of Commerce for organising this welcome addition as well as Diane McTague and her team at the Kings Head for providing its new location and Dobbies for their logistical support.

The excellent fare for our VIP reception was provided by students of Cirencester College and was well received by our guests. Thank you to Juliet Weeramanthri and Kelly Domaille at Cirencester College, for co-ordinating the students and for your enthusiasm and commitment.

Our switch-on event would not be the same without our good friend Vernon Harwood who once again acted as our master of ceremonies and was on hand to introduce our special guest Ben Miller. Thank you to Vernon and Ben for giving your time to come and carry out two of the most important jobs of the day, I hope you enjoyed your time with us.

New Brewery Arts ran a lantern workshop ahead of the main event which resulted in a number of splendid lanterns adding colour the packed Market Place.

A big thank you to all those who were involved in the Little Drummer Boy project; especially Nick Brook for the original idea, Iwan, Benn, Kelly-Marie and Olivia from StageSmart who helped co-ordinate it all, Tim Downes-Hall for lending us his drum and providing us with a drummer boy, William, Cirencester College Performing Arts, Cirencester Creative Dance Academy, Ben Collins and Upstage Creative, Michael Childs and Francis Goodhand for sorting the Music, Cotswold TV and of course the parents and parent volunteers from StageSmart and Cirencester Creative Dance Academy.

Thanks to the businesses in the Market Place who made their windows available for the project, including Diane and The Kings Head Hotel, Bubbles Hairdressers, House of Fraser, Cirencester Antiques Centre, Tom Shepherd who opened his offices especially for us.

As has now become tradition, the firework display provided another spectacular finale and I must thank Cotswold Fireworks for making this happen and putting on a spectacular show.

To Henry Cole & Co, Cotswold Airport, Ubico, Bingham Trust, Cirencester Parish Church, Cirencester League of Friends, Corin Ltd, Cirencester Chamber of Commerce and Tesco for logistical support and gifts; thank you.

The Farmers Market in the morning and the Advent Market looked magical and thanks must go to Suzie Lew, Anne Brooker and Cotswold Markets Ltd as well as the Market traders.

This event could not happen without the team of valued and committed volunteers and to each and every one of you may I offer heartfelt and grateful thanks to you whether you came as an individual or represented the RAU or Rotary.

Also big thanks to the organising team who have worked hard all year to put the event together, including Nick, Suzie, Claire Bloomer, Mel Scrivens, Lisa Hewett, Shirley Alexander and the Mayor, Mark Harris. It is a very small team and at times they have gone beyond the call of duty to bring you this community event. We have enjoyed working together with the Cirencester Chamber of Commerce this year and hope to continue this partnership next year.  

Planning for next year’s event will start in January; if you would like to be involved then please contact us through the Town Council.

Finally, thanks to you, the townsfolk of Cirencester and indeed beyond, who came and supported the event and markets in such large numbers, your presence makes it all worth while.

We hope to see you all again over this coming weekend as we hold two days of exciting Christmas Markets on Saturday, December 3, and Sunday, December 4, as well as the Charter Market on Friday, December 2.

To those of you, who contributed to our collection, thank you! We raised just under £80, which will be put towards next year’s Advent and Phoenix Festivals.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

BECKY COLES
Community Services Manager, Cirencester Town Council