Comedian Alex Horne joins guests to open 12th Maidenhead Town Show

The wet weather did not dampen spirits on Sunday as around 2,000 people enjoyed a day of fun and entertainment at the 12th annual Maidenhead Town Show.

The popular show, by Craft Coop CIC, took over the Nicholsons Centre and Maidenhead High Street with around 50 craft, community and charity stalls and food and drink vendors, as well as attractions and live music, all in aid of Thames Valley Adventure Playground (TVAP).

The fun kicked off from 10am, when Town Crier Chris Brown, comedian and TVAP’s new patron Alex Horne and Maidenhead MP Josh Reynolds joined together to open the event.

Mr Brown read out a proclamation and Mr Reynolds and Mr Horne each gave speeches to the crowd, before Mr Horne rang a bell to officially kick off the show.

There was a buzz in the air in the Nicholsons Centre as visitors browsed various stalls, offering face painting and unique and handmade arts and crafts pieces.

Guide Dogs, the Eco Action Hub and Filling Good also hosted stalls, alongside Maidenhead United FC Community Trust and the Maidenhead Lions, who were offering guests a chance to have a go on their human fruit machine.

The team from TVAP had several challenges ready for visitors at their stall.

Last year, the event raised £3,500 for TVAP and organisers are hoping to get close to this number this year.

For the first time, the Maidenhead Festival team took over the entertainment, with a Soundstage, which due to the weather, had to be re-located from the High Street into the Nicholsons Centre.

Chance to Dance Stars were first up to entertain guests, followed The Blend Choir who performed for the crowd.

The Windsor Ukulele Band gave a rendition of These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ amongst other tunes, before musician Tara Deane took centre stage.

Guests enjoyed a cover of Chappell Roan’s Pink Pony Club from Blackmore, before musician Sophie Henderson took to the stage, followed by classical duo Teresa and Bruno.

The High Street was lined with food and drink vendors, including Henley Gin and Naan & Sizzle.

There was also a fairground ride to enjoy, as well as sensory play sessions in Stand Out For Autism’s Sensory Bus, and the ever-popular Basil & Crew’s mobile farm.

A Discovery Zone was set up on The Green Skills Library in the Nicholsons Centre.

Guests enjoyed flower arranging in the former Card Zone unit, where a kids craft table, which saw youngsters create designs for Josh Reynolds MP’s official Christmas card, ‘seemed really popular’.

The competitions entries featured everything from photography, crochet and artwork to upcycled creations and baked treats.

This year saw ‘more food than ever’ entered, and Heidi Berry, director at the Craft Coop and one of the show’s organisers, said she hopes to see more of this next year.

For the first time, a monster trail saw youngsters go on the hunt for monsters in the shop of windows of businesses in the town centre, which ended with a chocolate treat in Cocoba chocolate café.

The activity was designed to link the Waterside Quarter area in with the show.

At 3pm, visitors gathered by the main stage area as pet owners showcased their furry friends in the ever-popular Dog Show hosted by Colin & Co Country Dog Retreat.

Romeo took first prize in the Best Dressed category, wearing a little red puffer jacket, while Murphy claimed victory in the Best Trick category.

Other categories included Best Rescue, Lookalikey, Best Junior Handler and Best in Show.

From 4pm, the event’s compere Jonny Walker helped the team present awards and raffle prizes, which included ballet tickets to Theatre Royal Windsor and Afternoon Tea for two at the Hurley House Hotel.

Heidi said: “I think the atmosphere in here was incredible, it’s just a shame about the weather.

“I’ve really enjoyed it.

“It’s such a nice vibe and it’s so nice to see people smiling and happy and just enjoying Maidenhead.”

Heidi said the team would ‘love to’ be bring the show back next year and are waiting on more news regarding the plans to re-develop the Nicholsons Centre.