At Last - The Christmas Market Returns

We’ve always been part of the Christmas Market but last year it was cancelled due to Covid.  This year we could not run an event on the day.  So we offered our help to the Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower, who so ably put on the event led by their Event Manager Dave Randall.

So much hard work

We all knew that planning for the event started as soon as the previous year’s event was over, but it was astonishing to see how much hard work was involved. So, even though it was a relief not to have to plan our own participation, there was a bonus, an insight into what it takes to organise and run the event.  At the Event pre-meeting on December 1, at their regular meeting place, at Billericay Town Football Club, we were represented by Patrick Rothon and Peter Greene.  The meeting covered all the latest plans for the day.

Oh! My! Cron!

After President Colin Campbell opened the meeting, Dave Randall was first up with the latest on the plans for the event after the change in the law to protect against Omicron!  A meeting with local Council Health and Safety officers on Monday November 29 had given the latest information, and an OK to proceed with the event.  Only the library, usually home to about 15 stalls, was banned and all stallholders notified already.  Dave ran through all the arrangements, with accompanying very amusing caricatures of himself!.

“Elephant In The Room”

The Ops Team leader Keith Dewis then described their contributions, varying from work on many days before the market, to putting out the road closed and diversion signs at 03.30 on the day, and taking down and clearing away everything that night.  Richard Rackham then took us through the Health and Safety challenges and how we should deal with them, especially the “elephant in the room”, the unknown consequences of Covid.  (Some stallholders, some actors/participants, and some stewards) had already dropped out with Covid infection.)

A well run and informative meeting!

A Great Success

Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower for another highly successful Christmas Market, despite the inauspicious start.  It rained most of the night and when we arrived at 07.00, it was still raining and did so until nearly 10.30.  We were represented by Roger Kettle, Patrick Rothon, President Les Sheppard, Peter Greene, Mike Sinclair and Brian Wellman.  All on Marshall duty – most from 7-11.00 am, and Brian from 11.00.

Despite the weather, the arrangements for most sections of the High Street went off with few problems, all the stall holders were pleasant and polite, and minor difficulties “He’s parked in my spot and I can’t set-up!” were quickly resolved as stallholders rushed their unloading and swiftly moved out of the way.  We had many thanks for all the work we were doing.  As usual, a few came without weights to hold their gazebos down, but Mayflower had sandbags available to resolve the problem!

The only major issue we heard about was the Anisha Grange stand where a few contractors were involved in setting up the stand and took an over-long time to get ready, blocking the road with trucks and cars.  One large truck had to be escorted along the High Street and out via the Alma Link long after work should have been complete.

At 10.30 the High Street was still very empty of people, but as the time of Santa’s Parade at 11.00 came closer the crowds flocked in and there were thousands of spectators as the parade moved down the High Street and back again later,

Kilts And Stilts

Led as usual by bell-ringing Town Crier Jim Shrubb shouting Oyez. Then the Pipers still wearing only kilts (below the waist I hasten to add) despite the weather.  They were followed by the “panto” inflated “Michelin-Men”, and the Umpa-Lumpas, the stilt men and women, and ending with a young girls dance troupe dancing and doing acrobatics down the street.  But it’s a Santa Parade – and in the middle just after the pipers, came the highly decorated Santa sleigh with Santa waving to all the crowds.

Soapbox On Show!

The market seemed as good as ever, with many varied stalls for charities, for buying all sorts of food and drink – you name it, it seemed to be there, and of course, a large gazebo for the Soapbox Derby with two of the soapboxes from the last Soapbox Derby, and playing our video of previous Soapbox Derbies.  The public, attracted by the videos showing at “Full Blast”, stopped in their tracks.  Many leaflets and flyers were handed out.  Great publicity!

Fun And Feedback

Public feedback “Fantastic to be able to attend this event again after last year’s lockdown ban”.  Lead organiser of the event, Dave Randall summed it all up:
“The attendance at this year’s Billericay Christmas Market despite the weather and the general concern about Covid was a testament to the resilience of people in the face of adversity and their determination to enjoy life as much as possible no matter what. Our role was to deliver a safe family community event to make this possible and bring the smile back to their faces.  I believe that this was achieved and thank everyone involved in delivering a successful day”