Children iced Valentine biscuits while Saturday customers were able to purchase vouchers for £3 entitling them to buy goods at the Market worth £5. Sue Gallagher from Greenham said “What a lovely idea, I come to the Market anyway, so it’s good to get some money off my vegetables.” Tom Bassett from Newtown Road said “I usually come on a Thursday, it’s a great market and much better value than the shops, I came down today because of the offer and I love Opera.”

Town Mayor, Kuldip Singh Kang supported the event, “It’s a good idea to put the Charter Market on the map with events like this, the market traders provide a valuable service to people in the town.” Chair of the Market Working Group, Councillor Martha Vickers said “It was a very successful two days, a special event and much appreciated by many of our residents.”

Newbury Town Council Services Officer Caroline Edmunds organised the Valentine event with Newbury Events Manager Caroline Paus and the Market Working Party. Mrs Paus said “It went really well, we had over 300 people enter the Hamper Draw and people loved the music and entertainment, thanks must go to Steve Brind, the Market Manager for his valuable input.”

Victoria Barrett from Curridge brought her children and said “This sort of thing is great, the children have loved it and daughter Catherine agreed, “I love the bag I’ve made, and it’s been really exciting.”

Richard Taylor from Porchester Road said, “Most of the events this week have been cancelled because of the snow, it’s wonderful to find this happening as we were all going a bit stir crazy. I like the recycling and creative element, it’s great for all the family and it’s educational too.”

Rags to Riches

Veolia Waste services provided much of the recycled materials. Newbury Event’s Manager, Caroline Paus said afterwards, “It was a great success, the children made some wonderful things and a big thank you must go to the Library for giving us the space and letting us make such a mess!” Caroline Fletcher agreed, “The children were very creative, they really enjoyed themselves which was lovely to see”.

Please contact Caroline Paus on 0845 003 9953 if you require more details

Polar Bear, Bjorn in Newbury

Ursular told the children all about the Polar Bear, where they live and how they are a threatened species due to global warming, by perfoming 3 live shows where the audience were able to ask questions and stroke the Polar Bear.

The event was sponsored by Bayer, a local Newbury firm who have climate change at the top of their agenda.

Bayer

The Snow Queen, Chirstmas in Newbury 2009

As the schools broke up for the Christmas holidays, Tink made friends with some Year 7 pupils from St Bart’s who were shopping in the Kennet Centre.  Standing over 12 feet tall she could hardly be missed by shoppers in Newbury.

The Snow Queen, meeting pupils from St Barts

We’re so close now to Christmas day now with only 6 days to go until Santa arrives, but we still have the Nativity Scene and Polar bear visiting Newbury in our countdown to Christmas, do come along and take a peak!

As part of the Newly launched outdoor arts program this event initiated proceedings, certainly nothing like this has ever been done in Newbury before in such spectacular fashion.

The enchanting performance Reve d’Herbert has been staged more than five hundred times all over the world. In the show, a group of mysterious, white robed characters explored the town in search of light. Starting at the Methodist Church in Northbrook Street they danced their way, as they charted their path through to the Market Place they transformed into spectacular and playful giants, illuminated from within and on reaching their destination they danced, a moon-like sphere rose into the night sky casting light onto the performers and public to create a beautiful finale.

The whole performance was just breath taking, the photos below capture just a couple of the moments,

Rêve D’Herbert by Quidams

Searching for the Light

The Finale

Judging the best shop window

Grans with attitude, there was no fooling Marg and Mary as they sped around Newbury picking up a few last minute presents Grannies Marg and Mary know a thing or two about what makes a a great Best Dressed Christmas shop window

Musicians and dancers from Brazil, Peru and Bolivia entertained the crowds in the Market Place with colourful costumes and exotic dances. In the Library more than a hundred children made carnival costumes, while outside local singer and guitarist, Patrick Cogswell played a range of Latin American music. Outside the Corn Exchange children were also invited to join artist Alex Topley create a colourful masterpiece. Betty Curtis from Doveton Way in Newbury said she’d thoroughly enjoyed the day “The dancing, music, costumes, food and overall atmosphere is absolutely fantastic, more please!”

Latin American Festival

 Bob and Sarah Seath from Kingsbridge Road joined in the Salsa classes run by DJ and compere Alison Smith, “It’s wonderful, what a lovely event, it’s so colourful and great fun, we need these kind of events, it brings the town together and puts a smile on everyone’s face”.
Event organiser, Caroline Paus said she was delighted so many people enjoyed themselves. “It’s fantastic so many people got involved, I’d like to say a big thank you to all the stewards and to the Corn Exchange for letting us use their facilities.  The next event Caroline is co-ordinating is a family Halloween Hullaballoo in Newbury Market Place on Saturday 31st October.  It promises to be an evening of thrills and spooky magic with torchlight tours, pumpkin carving, music and magic.  

For more details please call 0845 003 9953 or email event@newburyevents.co.uk