Highworth gears up for its biggest Christmas bash

Highworth is set to sparkle with festive cheer as the town prepares to transform its historic High Street and Market Square into a winter wonderland for its all-day Christmas extravaganza on Saturday, November 30.

Kicking off the festive season in the town from 10am – 5.30pm, the event includes 50+ independent stalls, a bar, food, face painting, rodeo bull, characters in the crowd entertaining the children, a Christmas lantern parade, dancers, majorettes and fun fair. Local artists will perform along with the Silver Band and the local school choirs of Westrop and Southfields and Highworth Choral Society will sing Christmas carols. There is a Mayor’s raffle with festive prizes donated by local businesses and there will even be a competition for the children, the prize being to turn on the Christmas lights.

The star of the show will be a giant inflatable snow globe, provided by Barratt David Wilson Homes South West, that will instantly transport guests to their very own winter wonderland. Complete with a winter scene, it features a 5ft Christmas tree and snowballs made from biodegradable snow for that all-important snowball fight. Families can have their photographs taken inside the snow globe for a small donation to benefit local dementia group, The Forget Me Not Charity in Highworth.

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The day will conclude with the light switch-on at 5.30pm and a visit from Santa in his sleigh.

The Mayor of Highworth, Councillor Julie Murphy, said: “The Christmas light switch-on provides a great opportunity to get into the Christmas spirit, to thank our community and raise money for the Mayor’s charity. Without our financial sponsors, local businesses who make donations and all those that give their time for free to entertain us, we couldn’t raise the money needed. I’m grateful to Barratt David Wilson Homes South West for funding the snow globe. It’s bound to be a huge attraction that will raise funds for this superb charity that supports local people with dementia, forgetfulness and loneliness, help of which is important all-year round, but something we feel more acutely at Christmas time.”

Louise Ware, sales director for Barratt David Wilson Homes South West, the developer behind the soon-to-launch Honeymans Helm developments off Shrivenham Road, added: “We’re delighted to help bring the magic of Christmas to this event in Highworth . We’re sure residents will turn out in force to make this a truly magical Christmas for the charity and wider community.”

Honeymans Helm will feature 238 energy-efficient three and four bedroom homes. There will be electric vehicle charging points and swift bricks for nesting birds. 30 per cent of homes will be made available for an affordable rent with a range of one and two bedroom apartment and two, three and four bedroom properties. Homes are expected to be released for sale spring 2025. For further information visit www.dwh.co.uk.