Get ready for longer Christmas festival

THE first three-day Henley Christmas Festival will begin next Friday.

At least 25 shops will be open for late-night shopping that evening and the town centre will be filled with 55 stalls and funfair rides.

Mayor Michelle Thomas and town crier David Wilson will open the event at 5pm from a stage at the town hall.

At 6pm GLOW Henley will take to the stage with music and entertainment, followed by characters from the Kenton Theatre pantomime Aladdin at 6.45pm.

The lights on the Christmas tree in the town square will be turned on at 7pm by Councillor Thomas, accompanied by the winner of the Mayor’s Christmas card design competition.

At 7.05pm carol singing will be led by Daisy Smith and Woodley Concert Band. This will be followed by Christmas songs by Ms Smith at 7.20pm.

At 8.10pm saxophone quartet Saxcellerate will take to the stage. The entertainment will finish at 9pm.

There won’t be a children’s lantern parade this year because the River & Rowing museum, where it usually begins, is closed.

Santa’s Grotto will run from 4pm to 9pm at the Christ Church Centre, Reading Road.

Visitors will enter at the back of the centre, via the Morris Room, which will be transformed into a Narnia-inspired winter wonderland. Entry is free and there will be a gift for every child.

Henley make-up artist Marnie Spiers will do free face-painting, and the cast of Reading Rep Theatre’s A Christmas Carol will sing carols.

Anyone wanting to make a donation can give to the Chiltern Centre, a Henley charity which supports young people with disabilities and will also be running a special raffle.

Tom Ryan, who has organised the grotto with Paula Price Davies for six years, said: “We are thrilled to bring Santa and his grotto to the Christ Church Centre, a community hub run by a wonderful team.

“It was wonderful seeing the faces of children — and their grown-ups — last year and I’m pleased to say the queue will be partly indoors this year.”

On Saturday morning there will be a special session for special educational needs children, thanks to the Chiltern Centre and Party Planners.

For more information and to reserve a free place, email ruth@chilterncentre.org.uk

On Saturday from 9am to 3pm there will be a Christmas farmers’ market and a nutcracker trail will be launched, where children can spot letters in shop windows to make a Christmassy word.

On Sunday there will be a craft market in the market place from 9am to 3pm.

Cllr Thomas said: “This annual Christmas event is always such a joy to bring to everyone.

“We will pack in as much fun as possible and are looking forward to seeing you all there.”

Councillor Sarah Miller, who chairs the town council’s events sub-committee, said: “It will be a fantastic event. We’re going to have rides for children, stalls, charity stalls, roasted chestnuts…

“I’m really looking forward to it. We hope as many people as possible will come.

“It’s a great event and a great way to start celebrating Christmas and get some presents in.”

The idea to hold the festival over three days was suggested by former town centre manager Laurie-Jane Cann, 47.

It was intended to make the event more accessible and to encourage people into Henley across the entire weekend.

Mrs Cann stepped down in September after four months in the role for health reasons.

Bell Street, Duke Street, Hart Street and Market Place will be closed from 3pm to 11pm on Friday to allow for the set-up and take-down of the stalls and rides.

The 30ft Nordmann fir is supplied by the Tree Barn at Christmas Common and sponsored by Henley firm Invesco Perpetual.