Events & Entertainment, Ferndown | Posted on December 2nd, 2024 | return to news
Christmas in Ferndown sparkles against the odds
“It shows the spirit of Ferndown!” said the town clerk at the annual Christmas event that had to be relocated from Pennys Walk to a nearby car park.
By Janine Pulford
The annual lights switch-on almost had the plug pulled on it when the organisers, Ferndown and Parley Rotary CIO, learned only three weeks before it was due to take place that there was a problem.
Preparations were well in advance and publicity material had been printed when the managing agent for Pennys Walk, working on behalf of Tesco, required the organisers to undertake precautionary work relating to the need to park vehicles on the paved areas of the pedestrianised precinct. The Rotary could not reach agreement with the managing agent and decided they could not stage the event on Pennys Walk.
A spokesperson for Tesco said: “We are always happy to work with the community on local events, and we are sorry that the organisers of the Ferndown Christmas event have decided they are no longer able to stage it at our site.”
Tesco added that the safety of customers and the local community using the stores in the precinct was its top priority.
The town council then announced that the managing agent would not give permission for vehicles to use any part of the pedestrianised area. As a result, the council could not put up the Christmas lights in Pennys Walk or on the clock tower.
The lights switch-on used to consist of a small gathering of schoolchildren and the mayor beside the Christmas tree in Victoria Road. In the last 10 years it has grown into a large affair that attracts hundreds of people. It brings the local community together in Pennys Walk, stretching from the Barrington Centre to the clock tower where everyone can enjoy live entertainment, a Christmas market and charity stalls as well as Santa in his grotto. To relocate an event of this size in three weeks was a tall order.
In the true Ferndown spirit, the town council, Ferndown and Parley Rotary CIO and local business owners Ben Pulford and Stuart Fleetham, who both helped found the festive Pennys Walk event over 10 years ago and run the hamper raffle for charity, worked together to save Christmas in Ferndown.
Pennys Lodge car park, behind the Barrington Centre was earmarked as the venue and the event went ahead on 30 November.
“Through adversity comes strength,” said Ben Pulford. “I’d like to thank the community of Ferndown for coming out in support of the event. Although we faced major logistical challenges and at one point the real prospect of being cancelled, it was an incredible achievement by all those involved to pull off this year’s event.”
Resident, Sarah Matthews, said: “The loss of Pennys Walk is devastating as it cuts the town in two and stops Victoria Road from being a part of the festivities. The use of the car park was a great solution, but the loss of Pennys Walk was huge for the general community.”
Stallholder, Michelle Ward, manager of the Margaret Green Animal Rescue’s charity shop in Victoria Road said: “It’s a shame the Christmas event was moved. A lot of people have said it’s a community event and Pennys Walk is part of the community. It’s a good event and makes people smile. The community should be supported by big businesses. We know of one stallholder who had to pull out because of the move. She kindly donated her pitch to us.”
The town clerk of Ferndown Town Council, Liz Bishopp, said: “It’s heartwarming that people have come out to support the event. It shows the spirit of Ferndown. It will be bigger and better next year.”
Event leader, Derrick Powell of Ferndown and Parley Rotary CIO, had been round to talk to the stallholders. He said: “Generally, they’ve been positive. Some have done very well. We haven’t got the flow right and we can learn from that.”
Michelle Venn, who was running a stand with colleague Jane Shanahan for Barchester Healthcare said: “It’s been okay. It’s more compact. We’ve had quite a few entries for the draw.”
Stallholder, Julie Hanna of Batty Birds said: “It’s been really good for me.”
The change of venue wasn’t right for Gethin and Gemma from Whites Printing Emporium who had found it a bit quiet. “It’s the wrong flow for us. The organisers did well, considering the change of location. They have talked to all the stallholders which was nice. We don’t usually get that happening at events.”
One of the oldest residents attending the event, Bill Field, aged 92, a founder member of Ferndown and Parley Rotary CIO, said: “The public appreciate that we did what we could, and the event has gone quite well. We’ve been lucky with the weather. Although disappointed at not being able to use the previous area, stallholders have been very supportive, and Father Christmas has been a great hit.”
Stallholder, Linda Thornton, raising funds for JTYAF said it was difficult for her to say how well they’d done and added, “It’s about the same as last year.”
The day centre was buzzing with a craft market, children’s activities, story time and a place to sit down for coffee and cake all organised by the Community Larder.
Hannah Hobbs-Chell of Ferndown Community Larder said: “We decided to join with the lights switch-on event this year and have seen a steady flow of visitors. Children’s activities and story time have been busy.”
The town mayor, Councillor Terry Cordery explained the lights switch-on had to be moved to a smaller tree outside the council offices rather than being held under the clock tower opposite the main Christmas tree in Victoria Road.
Resplendent in his robes at five o’clock, he invited everyone to move closer whilst he and a young assistant from the crowd made the draw for the giant hampers, followed by the countdown. In a break with tradition, Mayor Cordery carried out the countdown electronically on his mobile phone.
He said: “Thank you for coming along and I hope you’ve enjoyed yourselves. I’d like to thank the Rotary and town council who overcame the difficulties of being told with only three weeks to go that we couldn’t use Pennys Walk.
“Thank you very much for being here and have a lovely Christmas.”
The lights on the tree and around the Barrington Centre twinkled brightly whilst Penny’s Walk and the clock tower looked as if a Grinch had paid them a visit. The tree in Victoria Road was brightly illuminated as was the huge angel, which should have been in Penny’s Walk but had to be relocated outside the White Heather on Ringwood Road.
Hamper winners
1st E Chick; 2nd Emma Kelly; 3rd Janine Pulford. Janine was photographing the mayor for Dorset View when her ticket was pulled out by the mayor’s young assistant. After nearly dropping her camera in surprise, Janine said: “I’ve entered every year since the event began and this is the first time I’ve won a prize. Perseverance pays off.”
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