Council announces details of Gosport festive occasion
By Connor Steel
GOSPORT BOROUGH COUNCIL have urged all residents to attend a free day of “festive themed fun” to be held in the High Street on November 25 (Saturday) to coincide with their annual ‘Christmas Lights’ Switch-On event; which is likely to include a themed seasonal market, street entertainment, family activities and multiple displays from local music acts.
Organised by Nest & Anchor Events, the day will start at 10am with forty traders joining together to create the ‘heritage’ market that will run until later that evening. This will have a festive appearance with products on sale including bespoke jewellery, decorations, local crafts, gifts, toys, games, market favourites, mulled wine, special bakery treats and sweets
Free activities are due to be provided by Hampshire Cultural Trust with the Give it a Go festival scheduled to take place at Gosport Museum & Art Gallery and the Imagination Refinery from 11am to 2pm. This will allow all visitors to examine the intriguing range of crafts and projects; including workshops, games and family entertainment suitable for every age.
Street entertainers will furthermore be mingling with the crowd and feature angels equipped with lit-up wings along with characters from The Nutcracker; a popular ballet that is widely associated with Christmas. Visitors will be able to play a part in sensory shows entitled Congregation that will run at certain times and end in a display of ‘illuminated’ umbrellas.
Musical performances are due to begin at 12:30pm from the ‘main stage’, which will be located within Laurence Square and be sponsored by the local full-fibre broadband provider ‘Toob’. Acts include Emily Simpson, Ellie-Louise May, Chris Ricketts, St Vincent College’s music department, Synchronize Hip Hop School and Big Noise Community Samba band.
This event’s main attraction will begin at 5:45 with a countdown to the Christmas Lights Switch-on, which will be carried out by former museum manager Wendy Redman alongside other invited guests fifteen minutes later. It is then followed by a big finale show at 6:05pm as local band “The Spoils” entertain the crowds, before the day formally finishes at 8pm.
Parking should be available at multiple areas in the vicinity of Gosport Town Centre and it is unknown whether all usual charges apply for this occasion, but free buses will run between Fareham Bus Station and the High Street for visitors to attend. More information can be seen on the Anchored in Gosport Facebook page or at www.anchoredingosport.co.uk.
Readers can read quotes from Cllr Peter Chegwyn, Lucy Ashton (Hampshire Cultural Trust) and a ‘spokesperson’ from Nest & Anchor Events by clicking this link; whilst further details and updates can be viewed via the above two websites.
PICTURED BY PIXABAY: Gosport High Street will host its free festive day of fun for borough residents later this month.
