BUSINESSES, churches and other organisations in Fordingbridge have joined forces to make Christmas extra special this year.

The festive season will start with the arrival of the town Christmas trees on Saturday (November 25) , which will be delivered by businessman David Shering on a carriage pulled by his rare breed Comtois heavy horses between 11am and 1pm.

He said: “My rare breed Comtois heavy horses are specially bred to haul timber so transporting the Christmas trees, both large and small, will be second nature to them. The spectacle of the chestnut horses with their flaxen manes and tails will, in the absence of red nosed reindeer, provide a perfect start to the festive season.”

Then on Friday, December 1, residents can enjoy the Christmas lights switch-on and late night shopping. There will be a best dressed window competition for shops and entry forms will be available from the town hall on the night for a spot the Disney character trail with prizes for children.

Businessman Ian Newman, who has been involved in organising the Christmas events, said: “There will be lots of brilliant things going on this year. Rotary has organised the closing off of the High Street and Salisbury Street in the evening to provide a Dickensian atmosphere devoid of traffic. Thanks to the generosity of local businesses there will be more lights and more Christmas trees than ever before. We will provide limousines to bring senior members of the community from residential and nursing homes to the town hall for tea and cake on Friday afternoon.

“This will be a night to remember with something for the whole community.”

The afternoon Christmas event takes place from 2pm to 4pm at the town hall.

There will be Christmas carols around the tree with Hyde Band at 5.45pm followed by the Christmas lights switch-on at 6pm. From 6.30pm, there will be Santa’s grotto, a children’s entertainer and craft stalls in the town hall.

After the lights are switched on shops, pubs, Avonway, the Museum, Information Office, Salvation Army Hall and United Reformed Church (URC) will be open for Christmas bargains, demonstrations, tastings and festive activities.

Avonway Community Centre will be open with local bands performing and a teenage market. The URC will have a Christmas craft market and the museum shop will have stocking fillers for sale and a lucky dip. The windows of shops will be brightened up with beautiful decorations produced by children from local schools.

Mayor of Fordingbridge, Cllr Malcolm Connolly, said: “At a time when some may feel that the country is more divided than ever before it is fantastic to see so many organisations and individuals working together for the benefit of the town. Fordingbridge has always had a great community spirit but I sense a new mood in the town which augers well for the future.”