Stonehouse Goodwill Evening

All the anticipation and excitement finally came to a fantastic crescendo at 1.30pm on Saturday afternoon in Stonehouse when the Goodwill Fest opened. Throughout the event well over 1000 visitors attended and experienced a fantastic time. Ruth Nares who runs Wholeheartedly Café in the High Street, said, “What a triumph today’s Goodwill Fest was, where did all those people come from? When was the last time I saw people lining both sides of the street in Stonehouse?”

There were lots to see with over 30 stalls and pitches (with many selling out of stock) lining the High Street and greens, offering a wide range of goods, competitions and photo opportunities with a nativity scene and two donkeys.  Fiona Hale who visited the event said, “ Indeed, it was a lovely afternoon and we said next year we must go earlier, couldn’t fit everything in.”

Father Christmas and his elves was kept busy in the magical Grotto in the High Street Medical Centre all afternoon, with a record number of children visiting him this year and choosing a special toy for themselves.

Outside Stonehouse Rotary Club served their renowned burgers and hot dogs, whilst cafes served a variety of food and drink. Hurns DIY gave free mulled cider to visitors whilst Pete from Cotswold Prime Meats served specially prepared pork burgers with applesauce & sage and onion stuffing.

Throughout the event choirs, musicians and entertainers amused a growing crowd on the main stage, with thanks to Snow Business who provided snow on cue, which fell over the stage, and watching crowd, which added to the festive atmosphere.

Meanwhile in the Town Hall free children’s activities included face painting by Young Gloucestershire, lantern making, biscuit icing and three different outstanding Christmas themed Punch & Judy Shows and balloon modelling by John Harvey, one of the South West’s best known entertainers. Also in the Town Hall was a fantastic stall run in aid of The Shrubberies.

One of the highlights of the day came at 5pm when Father Christmas with his two reindeer, Dancer and Blitzen led the lantern procession telling the story of the twelve days of Christmas from Park Junior School in Elm Road into High Street, down to Regent Street and back to the Town Green. Comments from the crowd included, Emily Moore “They were awesome.” Clare Smith, “Loved the Goodwill evening and the procession was amazing! I love being a member of this beautiful community. Well done Stonehouse and thank you.” Leigh Binns, said “Anna (Buckland) and Ropert (MacKenzie) from Global Arts did an amazing job with the lantern procession and behind the scenes, so proud to be part of this tonight and the turnout was tremendous.”

After the procession John Jeynes, Chair of Stonehouse Community Partnership and co-organiser of the SCP event with Pam Swain, thanked all the volunteers and sponsors both financial and in kind that makes the event possible. John gave special thanks to the main Sponsor, Stonehouse Town Council, Silver sponsors, Norville Opticians, Wynn’s Coffee Co & VW Bridge Motors, Bronze sponsors, Delta Nine IT & Naylor Powell.