The people of Wimborne were delighted with the return of Carols in the Cornmarket this year.

As it is a plastic free town, glowsticks were replaced by a number of lanterns which were placed in the Wimborne in Bloom flower towers.

Since 2006, this community event has been organised by Hilda Butler, former chairman of Churches Together in Wimborne and Anthony Oliver, former mayor with a collection being taken for the mayor’s charities. A total of nearly £600 was raised for this year’s charities High Mead Farm and Diverse Abilities.

The event was sponsored by Wimborne BID, Optique 2000 and Wimborne Minster Town Council, who paid for the lanterns and the printing of the carol sheets.

The singing was accompanied by the Broadstone Community Concert Band under the direction of Damon Corio. Two of the carols were accompanied by Helen and Mark Banfield on the guitar and Irish drum. Nine Wimborne Minster choristers sang under the direction of Colin Davey, organist and director of the choirs at the minster. Some other singers were also present.

Major Carole Gadsden, Salvation Army officer, opened the evening with a prayer and with readings by the Mayor Cllr Mrs Kelly Webb and Hilda Butler. The first verse of the penultimate carol Away in a Manger was sung solo by minster curate The Rev Nick Wells who later pronounced the Blessing.

Radio Wimborne provided the public address system. It is hoped that next year’s event will take place on Friday 23 December.