Although Ringwood Town Council has had to cancel its Christmas lights switch on event with its all-day market, fairground, entertainment and processions throughout the day, Christmas in the town is definitely not cancelled.

Ringwood events team and the town council are to produce Ringwood Winter Wanderland. Walking trails around the town will showcase winter displays in shops, businesses and homes as well as the Christmas lights provided by the town council. Father Christmas will make some special ‘virtual’ appearances and there will be support for other initiatives in Ringwood such as the toy collection for the Rotary Christmas appeal and a drive-in service organised by Churches Together.

This year the Christmas window display competition is open to all businesses and organisations in the town, not just the town centre. Organisers will be publishing a map of entries to encourage people to come into town. Residents will be able to vote for their favourite online, details of which will be published at the beginning of December. The winner will be announced on 20 December.

To enter download an application form from https://www.ringwood.gov.uk/ringwood-winter-wanderland/.

There are advanced discussions with Father Christmas who, based in Lapland, is not currently subject to travel restrictions. He has agreed to pay a flying visit to Ringwood to help turn the lights on and to make sure no-one misses this spectacular event. Ringwood TV will be on hand to record the occasion for all to view on social media. The date will be announced very soon.

Have your children written their letters to Father Christmas yet? If so, email: ringwoodeventsteam@gmail.com with their first name and age (no other information please) by 25 November. He will try to acknowledge them ‘virtually’ in December.

The whole community can take part in the Winter Wanderland by decorating their own windows during December so you and your neighbours can wander the streets and enjoy the wonderful decorations. These do not have to be expensive decorations or lights; they can be anything you like. Simple or elaborate, everything counts. Tips and suggestions will be published in mid-late November.

Organisers are inviting financial support from Ringwood businesses as an event sponsor to be named in all events and Christmas associated published material. They would also be invited to display a company banner in the Market Place area for the duration of the Christmas tree display. Any enterprise wishing to offer a donation to Events Team funds will be listed in order of donation value, but no sum will be made public.

For more information visit https://www.ringwood.gov.uk/ringwood-winter-wanderland/ and in December, the community can tag their efforts on Facebook/ringwoodwinterwanderland, Instagram/ringwoodtowncouncil and twitter/ringwoodtowncouncil.