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Neston Loves a Local Christmas - Festive Markets and Competition Winners

The final weekend of this year's Neston Christmas Festival saw the conclusion of the We Love a Local Christmas competition, along with fabulously festive markets.

A very successful two days of markets took place - the usual Friday market on the Square was a glittery affair, with plenty of Christmas cheer.  On Saturday, the Farmers' and Food Makers' Market moved into the Town Hall and ran alongside the new Arts @ the Town Hall event, due to the high winds.  It was a bustling,  very festive day, enjoyed by stallholders and shoppers alike.

Yasmin Limbert and Kitty Makes brought festive cheer to the Market along with their tasty home-made goods. Photo by Rob Clive

Town Centre Manager Katy Pierce said: "The Festive Markets were a great success. Extreme weather conditions couldn't stop us, the atmosphere was fantastic and it was wonderful to see our usual array of fine food alongside some beautifully made arts and crafts.

"I'd like to thanks all the traders who pulled together to create such a wonderful event, the talented entertainment who kept us all in a jolly, festive mood, and of course all the visitors and shoppers who supported the market and made it the success it was."

In addition to the stalls, a vintage café in the Town Hall was set up by Tracy Eaton and raised £130 for Alder Hey Children's Hospital. Well done Tracy.

Not only was it Christmas, it was also the first birthday for the Farmer's and Food Makers' Market. To thank shoppers for supporting it over the course of 2015, over 200 Christmas cookies and mincemeat bakewell tarts (made by the festively dressed Kitty Makes and Yasmin Limbert, pictured above), were given away.

Between them, the 26 traders at the market gave away over 30 fantastic prizes to shoppers who entered into the free raffle, including handmade jewellery, cakes and sweets, breads and savouries, meat and fish, jams and chutneys, and hard carved wooden gifts. Six shoppers at the market won a mini hamper each of the goodies.

Katy said: "The Farmers' and Food Makers' Market will be back in February and we hope to continue the Arts @ The Town Hall event in the spring. If you would like to trade at either of the markets then please contact me: tcm@nestontowncouncil.org.uk."

Meanwhile, at the Parish Church, the two day Christmas Fair there was also buzzing, helped along by lovely singing by local school choirs.

The annual Christmas Fair took place at Neston Parish Church. Photo by Steve Ebbrell

On the downside, Neston Christmas Lights 'n' Lanterns had to be cancelled after the Met Office predicted winds of up to 60mph for the evening, which would present a potential danger to participants. The high wind prediction also meant that PA equipment and staging could not be erected outside, rendering the event all but impossible to deliver.

Organisers have now re-scheduled the event to take place on Saturday December 12th. Details here.

Competition time

Over the 9 days of the Festival, everyone was invited to take part in the 'We Love a Local Christmas' festive sticker trail around the town.  The completed forms had to be popped in to Sainsbury's, where they were exchanged for a free chocolate selection box and entered into a draw.  The winners are:

• an iPad Mini, went to Miss A Sanderson of Parkgate
• a luxury Aldi hamper to Mrs P Bidston of Little Neston
• a luxury Sainsbury's hamper to Mrs K Sellars of Neston
  
• a children's classic Disney DVD collection went to Mrs J Findlay of Great Sutton
• a Boots relaxation hamper and voucher for a blow-dry at David & Beverley was won by Miss Wade of Little Neston.

The winner Guess the Weight of the Christmas Cake Competition was Sam Nichol of Eastham, who guessed 2lb 8oz. The actual weight was 2lb 10oz.  Sam wins the Orchard Pig Christmas Cake.

Katy said: "As well as the wonderful market on Saturday, many people coming in to the Town Hall had come to collect their stickers for the Christmas sticker trail competition. Participants told me how much they had enjoyed visiting their local shops and markets as part of the event and were excited to see if they had won the great prizes on offer.

"A very big thank you must go to all those who took part, and especially to the business owners who participated and made a contribution towards the prizes on offer."

We Love a Local Christmas was organised by Neston Town Council with support and sponsorship by Neston & District Chamber of Trade. A number of local businesses have also offered support and been involved in a number of ways including Rightway, Sainsbury's, Aldi, Mozkito's, AboutMyArea/CH64, Lucy Brooks, Escape, The Craftsman, Neston Pet Supplies, A+O Discounts, John Evans Ltd, The Red Lion, Galen Pharmacy, David and Beverly Hairdressing and Boots. 

Photo Gallery

Festive Friday Market. Photo by Steve Ebbrell

Festive Friday Market. Photo by Steve Ebbrell

A bustling Town Hall. Photo by Steve Ebbrell

Little Actors entertain. Photo by Rob Clive

Stalls were kept busy. Photo by Rob Clive

Getting into the Christmas swing, with Parade Jazz Band. Photo by Steve Ebbrell

Wide-eyed Christmas excitement! Photo by Rob Clive.

The bread stall is as popular as ever. Photo by Rob Clive

I bought one of those! Photo by Steve Ebbrell

Handy if you are playing a shepherd in the school Nativity play. Photo by Rob Clive

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