BROMSGROVE MP Sajid Javid officially opened the town’s first Christmas Market this morning as the High Street filled up with festive shoppers.
The event, which has been organised by Bromsgrove District Council and The Friends of St John’s Church, features more than 20 craft stalls, carol singers and an outdoor bar selling real ale and mulled wine.
Mr Javid said he hoped the market would do well and wished everyone a very Merry Christmas.
Rev Ray Khan, the vicar of St John’s Church, gave a speech.
“Jesus was a carpenter who made things to sell – just like we are seeing here.”
And he joked: “I hope that by the end, your tills are full and the wallets and purses of the Bromsgrove people are empty.”
As well as officially opening the market, Mr Javid also announced the winner of the town’s best dressed Christmas window competition.
That went to Cancer Research UK for its display which depicted a reindeer and sleigh leaping in the snow.
Four others – The Regency Tea Room, Art Cafe, Robert Oulsnam and Co and the French Flower Co – were highly commended by the judges.
Maureen Commander, the manager of the Cancer Research UK shop, said it was great to win the contest because there were a lot of great entries up and down the High Street.
After the official opening, there was live music from ‘Vintage Class’ who performed a few festive favourites.
The launch was the first in a host of seasonal activities taking place in Bromsgrove this weekend.
Tomorrow at 5.30pm, town athlete Helen Russell will be officially turning on the lights with Coun Caroline Spencer, Bromsgrove District Council chairman, and Miss Worcestershire hopeful Laura Morgan.
The pre-lights switch-on roadshow, being hosted by Andrew Easton from BBC Hereford and Worcester, will be outside the Golden Cross pub from 3.30pm.
There will be live music from the Rock Choir, Erica Halley, Nathan Farrell and headliners The Candy Dolls and Father Christmas himself will be making an appearance with his helpers along with the cast of this year’s All and Sundry pantomime Dick Whittington.
For more on the Christmas events, e-mail the events team at [email protected] or call them on 01527 534030.
