Christmas events in Poundbury draw in the crowds

Thousands of festive shoppers have flocked to Poundbury this season for Christmas community events.

To start the festivities, an inaugural pop up craft fair at The Duchess of Cornwall Inn attracted more than 1,200 people.

Organiser Jess Mitchell, who is part of the Dorset Etsy group and runs her business Cinnamon & Lullabies from her Poundbury home, said: “It was our first fair and I organised the night to champion the amazing local craft sellers. We expected a hundred people or so we were absolutely delighted that so many people came and there were crowds right across the Square.

“It was a fantastic showcase of local talent and we are already planning next year – this time the whole pub will be devoted to the fair and we hope to welcome everyone back again.”

The following weekend on 6th December, local children, families and residents visited the Buttermarket for the annual Light Switch on and carols.

Children from The Prince of Wales First School sang carols before the lights were switched on and teachers came dressed as polar bears to celebrate the evening.

The square was transformed the following day into a Christmas Market where hundreds of visitors and members of the community came along.

Charlie Polley, Owner of Boo’s Toy Shop, who organises the Buttermarket Light Switch on and Buttermarket Christmas Market, said: “We were overwhelmed with this year’s Christmas celebrations.

“The Christmas Market also marked small business Saturday and Poundbury and the Buttermarket were buzzing all day. The weather was great, the stallholders were amazing and loads of customers came out to support us.

“We are all looking forward to next year’s event already.”

Lucy Simpson, General Manager of Poundbury Gardens, said the community events have really contributed to the festive atmosphere.

Every year thousands of people visit the Garden Centre to buy their Christmas tree and visit its popular Christmas grotto and shop. The 2019 theme of Narnia is proving a great success.

Mrs Simpson said: “We had a really good start to the season and have been busy ever since.

“We get everyone from small children to elderly customers coming along to walk through Narnia and feel festive and of course our visits from Father Christmas have been as busy as ever.”

The Garden Centre’s restaurant The Engine Rooms, also held an unusual ‘Happy Woofmass’ event for dog owners and their annual Christmas Carol concert.

To find out about more community events in Poundbury, keep up to date with news from the Poundbury Residents Association.

Dates for your diary 2020

• Duchess of Cornwall Pop up Christmas Craft Fair – Thursday 26th November 2020
• Buttermarket Light Switch on – Friday 4th December 2020
• Buttermarket Christmas Fair – Saturday 5th December 2020 (stallholders can email buttermarketevents@gmail.com to be added to the waiting list)