Exeter bus passengers treated to live carols and a visit from Santa
On Wednesday 14th December, passengers travelling through Exeter City Centre’s Bus Station were treated to a live Carol Concert as part of the Stagecoach South West ‘It’s Christmas’ event.
The fun-filled free afternoon was organised by staff at Stagecoach to wish their customers a Happy Christmas from the local transport operator. The event featured Christmas songs from popular local choir ‘Big Noise Chorus’, music from Radio Exe, festive freebies and offered families across the city the opportunity to meet Father Christmas.
Customers arriving in Exeter were thrilled to see thirty ‘Big Noise Chorus’ choir members, surrounding the Station’s 17 foot Christmas Tree. The crowds were treated to a line-up of festive numbers from Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ through to the much-covered festive favourite ‘O Holy Night’. The Big Noise Chorus are a network of community choirs performing a range of music from Pop, Soul, World, Motown and Rock. The choir have performed a wide variety of concerts around the South West with other choirs and performing groups.
In between the carols local radio station, Radio Exe, broadcasted from the Bus Station. Passengers were treated to a variety of festive tunes and the opportunity to take part in an on-air competition. Shopping vouchers were up for grabs in the festive giveaway, designed to help lucky winners strike gifts off their Christmas lists. Stagecoach organised for the Radio Exe listeners to be in with a chance of winning Princesshay vouchers, by tracking down the Radio Exe Elf.
The team at Radio Exe also sent a letter to the North Pole to invite Santa along to the event. Despite this being his busiest time of year, Santa could not miss the opportunity to greet passengers through Exeter Bus Station. Families had time for a photo op with Father Christmas before boarding their bus, and many children (and Adults) could double check their Christmas lists before heading off.
Stagecoach was also keen to support The Guildhall Great Big Christmas Toy Drive as part of the event. The team at The Guildhall Shopping Centre arranged the initiative to collect toys for those in the community who have been worst hit by the cost of living crisis. Many families have faced the thought of not being able to celebrate this Christmas with gifts. The Guildhall have been collecting donations from partners across the city, and within their shopping centre, working with The Food Bank to distribute these to families in the region. This fantastic initiative aims to see a child receive a Toy for Christmas, who would otherwise not get a present.
Sarah Clark, Marketing Manager for Stagecoach South West said; ‘We’re delighted to be supporting The Guildhall help to make this festive season special for everyone in our city. We’ve also been thrilled to work with our partners to arrange our ‘It’s Christmas’ event. We wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone involved for making the day so special. We wish our customers and partners across the region a happy festive season.’
Stagecoach is running buses over the holiday season, just taking a break on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Customers can visit their festive travel section for all the details: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/south-west/christmas-and-new-year-bus-services
For more information on travelling by bus and to download timetables visit stagecoachbus.com
