South Molton's Big Christmas Festival Weekend

Each year South Molton’s Big Christmas Festival (which runs the first weekend in December), is based on all the elements of a great, traditional, country Christmas. However, the organisers, South Molton Business Association (SMBA) also like to introduce new items and for 2013, one of these will be the Schools’ Art Expo. This will be a free event, where pictures and other creative offerings from local schools will be on view in the town’s elegant Georgian Assembly Rooms.

The Art Expo was the idea of David Walker, the SMBA member who also co-ordinates the children’s Friday Night Lantern Parade. It was David who spoke to Cameron Main, of West Buckland School in October with the idea of organising the art show. Local schools had expressed their interest in participating, but it was Cameron who set to work, bringing things together. He says:

“Gemma Davidson, (West Buckland Senior, Preparatory and Pre-prep), a member of my department, took on the role of communicating with and inviting other local schools. We were delighted that they have all been most helpful and enthusiastic! As a result, we have co-opted Liz Wilde ( North Molton), Nina Tittle (South Molton Juniors), Louise Kemp (South Molton Community College, and Pauline Hall (South Molton Infants) to help us put on this fantastic display of children’s art”.

He continued:

“The exhibition will showcase the skills and artistic creations of young people across the South Molton area. There will be a mix of work from all age groups and from many different disciplines and styles from sculpture, drawings, paintings and even some design technology pieces.”

“We are already very excited in anticipation of what we will begin to see on Thursday, as teachers from each school begin to exhibit the art. It is definitely an event not to be missed! We would also like to say a big Thank You to the Rotary Club, who are kindly manning the Assembly Rooms throughout the weekend”.

The Art Expo runs from 10.00 – 4.00 Thursday, 10.00 - 8.30pm Friday, 10.00- 1.00 Saturday, 10.00 - 3.30pm Sunday.

Other elements of the weekend include:

Thursday 5 – 9 December

10.00 – 4.00 Christmas Tree Festival, St Mary Magdalene’s Church. Decorated trees, representing community groups are exhibited. Opening times are 10.00 - 4.00, Thursday 5th and Monday 9th December, 10.00 - 9.00 on Friday 6th, and Sunday, 12.00 – 4.00.

Friday 6 December

5.00 – 9.00 Winter Wonderland late night shopping event ,Children’s Lantern Parade, Christmas Pannier Market, marquees in the Christmas Plaza, including arts and craft marquee, Mole Valley Farmers marquee, Santa’s Grotto, fun fair, South Molton Town Band play carols, followed by live music on the Square.

Saturday 7 December

8.30 – 1.00 Pannier Market 9.00 – 4.00 Christmas Plaza marquees, including face painting. 2.00 - 4.00 Meet your favourite cartoon characters (Peppa Pig, Woody, Fireman Sam, Mickey and Minnie).

Sunday 8 December

10.00 – 4.00 Christmas Fatstock Show, farm animals, poultry show, demonstrations of traditional crafts, food and drink, handicraft competitions, Young Farmers charity tractor pull, trade stands and South Molton Vintage Rally , fun fair, Christmas Plaza marquees