Dickensian celebration in Ringwood (From Salisbury Journal)

Dickensian celebration in Ringwood

9:00am Thursday 3rd January 2013 in News By Karen Bate

DIGNITORIES in Ringwood paid tribute to voluntary organisations in the town at a civic service held at the parish church.

Instead of a Christmas Carol service a Dickensian celebration was held, including performances from the Forest Forge theatre group, New Forest West Scouts, Ringwood and Poulner Brownies and the town’s Community Choir.

Mayor Steve Rippon-Swaine said: “Christmas is about giving and community involvement and I decided that we should celebrate the fantastic work done by the many voluntary groups in the town as part of our celebrations.

“With the aid of Forest Forge Theatre Company, we were able to hold a completely new Christmas service based around a Charles Dickens theme, narrated by Michael Lingham-Wilgoss acting as Charles Dickens to link the various elements together.

“Without Forest Forge Theatre Company’s help and Michael’s monologue, it would have been difficult to achieve this kind of celebration.”