Festive fun for first Holywells Christmas Fair

The threat of showers couldn’t put off hundreds of families at Holywells Park yesterday who came together to celebrate the festive season at the park’s first Christmas Fair.

The Stable Block, Orangery and Walled Garden were transformed into a buzzing hive of activity as kids and adults enjoyed a host of activities.

Santa’s sleigh arrived complete with live reindeer outside the Stable Block, alongside a barn owl especially for the occasion.

Elsewhere in the Orangery youngsters enjoyed games and craft activities while mulled juice and roasted chestnuts were on hand to keep the festive-goers warm.

Local fundraising groups including the Friends of Holywells Park hailed the success of the day, which was headlined by two performances of the Rabble Choir – East Anglia’s biggest community choir.

Ipswich borough councillor Sarah Barber said: “It was lovely, a really nice family event with a great atmosphere and seeing lots of families out in the park was really good to see.”

Coupled with the three-day Christmas market around Ipswich town centre, which featured dozens of stalls from hot food and mulled wine to clothes, gifts and accessories, the day was a bumper-offering for festive shoppers.

“I think these events are really important,” Ms Barber said.

“They draw people into the town, encourage them into Ipswich to do their shopping and add some value to the experience of coming into Ipswich.

“It’s really a family fun experience doing Christmas shopping in the town centre, especially for the children.”