FORDINGBRIDGE will switch on its Christmas lights tonight (Saturday November 27). 

It will take place in Market Place at 6pm. 

Father Christmas will travel in his sleigh along the High Street, before arriving at the Market Place.

Traditional carols will be sung and local heroes will switch on the town’s Christmas lights.

Festive trail

A town trail will also start on Saturday. Shops and businesses in town will have a Christmas poster in their windows showing a letter, which makes a seasonal sentence.

The town trail map is available from Fordingbridge Information Office or at fordingbridge.gov.uk.

Once completed, hand in your entry to the Information Office or the library to receive a Christmas treat.

Road closures

Road closures will be in place from 5.30pm to 7pm for the switch on event.

  • Provost Street from junction with West Street/Church Street to junction with High Street
  • Shaftesbury Street from junction with Barton Road to Junction with High Street
  • High Street from Shaftesbury Street/Provost Street junction to Bridge Street roundabout
  • Roundhill from The Hundred (just past the car park) to the High Street Roundhill will remain open from Salisbury Street to the Car Park - access to the car park will be unaffected by the road closure.  

Supporting charities

The two charities that Fordingbridge Town Council has chosen to support at the Christmas Lights Switch On Event this year are the Food Bank and the Salvation Army Christmas Present Appeal.

Donations of non-perishable, in-date, food items and new, unwrapped presents can be brought to Event Control outside the Town Hall from 5.30pm to 6.30pm this evening oor to the Information Office in Kings Yard beforehand.

Afternoon tea

A Christmas afternoon tea is being held for older residents in the town hall on Friday December 3 between 2pm and 5pm.

As well as tea and cake there will be entertainment from a pianist. 

The event is free to attend and is being hosted by Fordingbridge Town Council. 

Those wishing to attend should call the Information Office on 01425 654560.

Christmas Glow

The festivities continue with Fordingbridge Events Group's Christmas Glow on Saturday December 11 in the car park near Roundhill, 2.30pm to 7pm.

The family event will kick off with Santa being delivered by heavy horse to his grotto in the car park.

From here, Santa will be making appearances to talk to the crowd at 3pm, 4pm, 5pm and 6pm.

Between his appearances, there will be Christmas tunes, choirs and live music. There will also be some steam engines in the car park plus stalls serving food, drink and crafts and gifts.

There will also be a range of stalls and activities for the family, run by Fordingbridge Scouts and The Salvation Army will be doing a live nativity event.

Around the town, retailers and other organisations will also be feeling the glow, with the following activities taking place: a craft fayre at URC, Kids’ activities at the Created by You courtyard and a Star Wars themed event at the Town Hall by All The Cool Stuff.

There will also be a drop off point for parcels for the Women’s Refuge Centre outside I N Newman.

Ringwood Christmas lights switch on

Ringwood’s Winter Wanderland takes place tomorrow (Sunday November 28) with two Santa parades, a fairground, and Christmas lights switch on.

Kicking off the event will be the first of two Santa parades which takes place from the Furlong at 11.30am. From 12pm until 6.30pm a market will be open from the High Street to the Market Place, along with the fairground.

Visit the Christmas grotto with reindeer from 12 noon until 5pm. There will also be entertainment during the event with a range of performers.

The Christmas lights switch on will take place at 6pm to close the evening.

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