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A large crowd assembled outside the Town Hall at about 3.30pm to listen to the Ladies Singing for Fun's rendition of Christmas songs and carols. Once they had "warmed up" the crowd, the Mayor Cllr Hugh James made a speech explaining that this was the second year that Christmas in Whitchurch had taken place and, thanks to a lot of hard work by Stewart Parrington and his small team, it was even better than last year. The illuminated trees around The Square adding to the festive cheer. Almost all the Town Centre's shop keepers had decorated their windows and the best of them was judged (in best X Factor style) by a combination of judges and the public to be Ian Clacy's window, which even included a sleeping (and breathing dog). Joint second were Newbury Building Society and Karen Jarmarkier tying for second place. The Mayor presented the Clacy's with their trophy. He then presented over �100 raised in the morning's tombola to Keith Watts for the Youth Project. As can be seen from the pictures to the left, there was a minor blizzard, centred exactly on the Mayor, the photos bottom and centre left give a clue as to where the snow may have come from. Children from the crowd were quick to exploit the freak weather and Hugh suffered more indignity as they added to the snow on his head and shoulders. Just out of the picture to the right is the local MP, Sir George Young, who was also seen to be joining in. As Santa made his get away to the Silk Mill, the Ladies provided more song until they had to retire to the Town Hall for some well earned mulled Hampshire cider and mince pies! Sir George moved on to another part of the Square to formally open the new Brockenhurst office which, with Kingsley Financial Management, have taken over the premises to the South East of The Square to bring back more life to the town centre. |
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