South Molton's Big Christmas Festival

The weather was still and dry for the biggest event in South Molton’s busy calendar on Friday night, (6 December), when the town hosted its Winter Wonderland celebration, as part of the Big Christmas Festival weekend.

The evening started in style with the infectious rhythms of Samba Sol, who led the Children’s Lantern Parade as it wended itsway from the Infants School, down the Lime Walk, onto The Square.

Enroute they met up with Father Christmas, who had given his reindeers a night off, arriving instead via Cedric the donkey and his smart carriage! Father Christmas was delivered to his grotto in the Pannier Market and spent a very busy evening seeing the crowds of children eagerly awaiting him.

Crowds thronged The Square, listening to the Town Band playing carols, or from 7.30 the acts on the live music stage. There were also children’s fairground rides, roasted chestnuts, food and drink, a hot air balloon and musical entertainment throughout the evening.

Callum Robb, proprietor of Bon Bons sweet shop said: “This has probably been the busiest Winter Wonderland we have ever experienced – it has been very, very good. The entertainment has been great and the free minibus courtesy of Mole Valley Farmers, has successfully linked the town and Pathfields Industrial Estate”.

For the first time there was an Art Expo in the Assembly Rooms displaying pictures, sculpture and design items from local schools. The standard of the exhibits was amazing, and South Molton Business Association (SMBA), which organises the Big Christmas Festival, awarded various prizes across the various age groups.

As always, the Pannier Market was crowded, and trader Coralie Day, of Balloon Stuff, who sells cards, and gifts said: “We have been very busy tonight and there was definitely a great Christmas atmosphere.”

With more than 100 stalls trading over the weekend, for the first year the Christmas Plaza was created adjacent to the central car park, with craft and Mole Valley Farmers marquees and larger fairground rides.

This continued to trade on Saturday, and there was great excitement as from 2.00 children had the chance to meet and be photographed with cartoon favourites such as Peppa Pig, Woody, and Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

It was definitely appreciated by the families. Felicity Baxter from Mini Moltons Nursery which was offering children’s face painting said: “Its been brilliant - there have been lots of people throughout the day and it has felt really Christmassy”.

At St Mary Magdalene’s church the whole interior was alight for five days with 65 decorated Christmas trees representing schools, organisations and businesses from across the community.

SMBA Chairman Jonathon Lawrence says: “This is a spectacle, which perhaps captures the spirit of Christmas quite like no other in what can honestly have been described as an exceptional weekend.

"Many Thanks to everyone who has worked for many months to make it the success it has been”.