Dame Mary to help light town Christmas tree

CHEF and television personality Mary Berry will turn on the lights of
Henley’s Christmas tree.

The cookbook author will be joined by the Mayor Rory Hunt and the winner of his Christmas card competition.

The ceremony will take place on Friday, November 29 at 7pm.

Dame Mary, 89, is known for appearing on cooking shows and most notably in her role as a judge on The Great British Bake Off when it was shown on the BBC.

She has also published more than 75 cookbooks including The Baking Bible and Mary’s Foolproof Dinners.

Dame Mary moved to Henley with her husband Paul Hunnings in 2018 and has made public appearances at several events since, including the Henley Literary Festival and the Henley Youth Festival. She was also the guest judge at the annual Binfield Heath Flower Show, which celebrated its 75th anniversary this year.

Paul Carey, the town centre manager, said: “I decided to try and get in touch with Dame Mary last year after someone pointed out where she lived. I scribbled down the address and dropped her a line, not expecting to necessarily hear straight back.

“A few days later I received an email from her directly saying she would be thrilled to turn on the Christmas lights.

“Dame Mary is a national treasure and we’re very much looking forward to her joining the Mayor and Christmas card competition winner.”

The town centre will be closed to traffic from 3pm to 11pm and the festival will be held from 5pm to 9pm.

There will be a selection of festive stalls, fairground rides and entertainment throughout the event.

Local shops and vendors will also be open late and many will offer seasonal gifts as well as mulled wine.