Christmas has begun in Buckingham!

Last night saw the annual and traditional switching on of the Christmas lights in Buckingham town centre. At a guess, there were probably upwards of 500 people, big and small, in attendance. And this year the Christmas Tree was topped by a star! (A kind donation from the local WI which past president Sian Whyte described during the event). The event also began with the awarding of the Buckingham Society's Traders of the Year awards, the second year of it running. So congratulations to:

• Leeders Hardware (winner of the overall Buckingham Trader of the Year)
• Pasha (the runner up)
• Meadow Row Tea Rooms (winner of Buckingham's Favourite Eating Place of the Year)
• Bees Kitchen (the runner up)
• Isla Jane Bakery (winner of Market Trader of the Year)

(And thanks to Roger Edwards and his colleagues, of the Buckingham Society, for organising this)

It was a great pleasure as always to hear the singing by the Buckingham Glee Club who entertained us with some wonderful harmonies. And of course the two Captain Coleman's from the Salvation Army delighted us all with their chocolate themed rendition of the Christmas Story. The Winslow Concert Band were brilliant as always: thank you so much to them. And of course thanks to Amanda, Events Coordinator, and all the TC staff, the lighting and sound people (Sparkz Electrical), the Buckingham Traders Association and everyone else who helped make this all happen.

Wrapped around the event were some food stalls in the cattle pens and down by the entrance from the car park, outside the community centre. Also there had been a craft fair in the Cote next to the Woolpack pub for most of the day. Many of the shops stayed open on the Sunday as well. Attendance and pick up on these all was, shall we say, sporadic. Although I think as people returned to their cars the food stalls did some good trade.

As with all events, you can't please all of the people all of the time and there has been some discussion around the timing of the event and the success of the wrap around trading stalls... (etc) There has been lots of praise too, of course, and I met some very happy and excited children last night. But if you have any ideas about how the event could be even better next year, or you just want to say thanks!, please send all those thoughts to Amanda Brubaker at the Town Council and your thoughts will be reviewed by the Council. Her email address is: events@buckingham-tc.gov.uk 

And thanks to Cllr Robin Stuchbury for the pics below.