Advent will once again be very special in Christchurch with the Living Advent Calendar returning to the town.

Last year’s event raised nearly £20,000 for 24 different regional charities, bringing festive cheer to enthusiastic audiences on 24 consecutive evenings across 24 pop-up venues.

Organised by volunteers led by The Rotary Club of Christchurch, each evening will be sponsored by a local business or organisation. All administration expenses are covered by the Primrose Trust fund so all the money raised each evening goes directly to the designated local charity.

The CLAC 2022 launch event on 26 October was sponsored by the Kings Arms Hotel, and was enjoyed by local dignitaries and representatives of organisations involved in CLAC. The Harbour Hotels Group made guests welcome in the Priory Suite in the Kings Arms, where Christchurch Rotary president Vince Banks introduced the chairman of the CLAC Organising Team, Rtn Jan Banks. Jan outlined the origins of the Living Advent Calendar concept, and summarised the great success of the first CLAC event in 2021. Rtn Mike Wood then spoke about the 24 charities set to benefit from the event, and Rtn Richard Reader explained the associated public relations activities. Jan Banks concluded by displaying photographs showing the great variety of CLAC events last December.

Cllr Mrs Avril Coulton, the Mayor of Christchurch, commented on the fabulous performances that had brought so much joy last year. She congratulated the Rotary Club and all the associated volunteers and organisations on the hard work involved in setting up this complex event, and pledged continuing support from the Town Council.

Cllr Nigel Hedges, chairman of BCP Council, confirmed that the council and in particular its events team, is always keen to assist projects that bring pleasure to residents, and benefits to the local area.

The launch ended with a lively performance of numbers from local singer Susie Kimber.

Originally a concept created over 15 years ago in Stockholm, Sweden, Christchurch’s pop-up living advent calendar will run daily from Thursday 1 to Friday 24 December. Each evening at 6.15pm a different ‘door’ or ‘window’ at a town centre venue will be opened to reveal a 30-minute performance which could be by choirs, singers, bands, dance troupes, individual musicians, or theatrical groups – you’ll have to be there on the night to see who is performing.

The venues and supported charities will be advertised in advance via the CLAC website, the programme brochure, and social media: the performers will not be revealed until each door or window opens, just as in a children’s Advent Calendar – a new surprise every night, with a special, Christmas Eve closing event on 24 December in Saxon Square at the earlier time of 2pm.

The Living Advent Calendar not only features local talent and charities but is supported by local businesses, with venue operators offering their space as a location for the daily performances, and sponsors making substantial contributions to the designated charities.

For more information, visit christchurchlivingadventcalendar.org.uk, or follow Christchurch’s festive advent elves on social media: Instagram Christchurch_living_advent, and Facebook. Alternatively, email christchurchlivingadvent@gmail.com.