A CHRISTMAS market which was held for the first time last year will make a return this December.
The second Billinge Christmas Market will be held at The Masons Arms, on Carr Mill Road, on Sunday, December 4 from noon to 5pm.
The event is designed to showcase local makers, artists, producers and businesses and support the local hospitality industry following a tough couple of years with the impact of the Covid pandemic.
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A key aspect of the market once again will be raising money for three charities - Forget Me Knots Dementia Day-care centre, Billinge Tennant's & Residents' Association, and Warrington Animal Welfare.
Organiser Stephanie Fry, from Billinge, said: “The idea for the market came from seeing other neighbouring villages host similar Christmas Markets, as well as those in St Helens town centre, and it seems only right that Billinge should have its own as well!
“The vision is for the market to grow in subsequent years, encompassing more venues throughout the village thus providing more opportunities for people to sell their products, share information and enable people to shop locally and support their independent and local businesses.
“By starting off in a relatively small and manageable way it is hoped that Billinge Christmas Market 2022 will be an ideal place to foster community cohesion during the season of goodwill, and if successful, will grow in future years. The Masons Arms is a delightful, centuries-old family run pub which will be a fabulous place to host the market, and as they have kindly agreed to be the founding venue of this event, it is hoped that more people will come along on the day and discover this hidden gem”.
This year’s event will see live entertainment, including Parr Brass Band, plus live bands in the pub from 4pm, and there will be a wellbeing theme to the Market, with St Helens MIND in attendance offering advice and information as well as St Helens Wellbeing Service and our local PCSO's on hand to talk to the public.
Father Christmas will be visiting and there will also be a Children's Face painter, and we'll have some delicious food and drink courtesy of The Masons, Gracious Grub plant-based cuisine, and Rolando's authentic wood-fired Pizza van.
Billinge FC are also supporting the event.
Stephanie added: “I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who would be interested in volunteering on the day, even if just for a couple of hours, or who would be happy to help out in any other way, or who wishes to donate anything to our charity raffle.
“All support would be most welcome!”
- Contact Stephanie on s.a.fry@hotmail.co.uk and see the Billinge Christmas Market Facebook page for more.
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