Christmas coming early to Welshpool!

Welshpool will be holding its annual launch to the Christmas season earlier this year to avoid clashes with other big events happening in the area.

The Town Council-organised Winter Festival promises to be a day for the whole area to enjoy on Saturday, November 23, from noon-6pm, with a Narnia-themed Town Hall set to be the centrepiece for celebrations.

A special sub-committee met last night (Tuesday) to bring ideas together, but there could be one thing missing this year – a Christmas Tree outside the Town Hall.

As concerns mount over the safety of the Town Hall roof, it is predicted that work may mean the area is fenced off for safety reasons for several weeks.

The annual Christmas Tree outside the Royal Oak could also be axed, unless businesses are willing to cover its costs. But there will be a tree in Puzzle Square.

There are plans for a caricaturist, balloon modeller, a live outdoor music stage as well as up to two dozen stalls that will be located both outside on the closed high street and inside at the Town Hall.

Father Christmas will be back in his grotto and there will be much more going on, including a petting zoo, with the sub-committee’s ideas to be discussed at tonight’s Town Council Events & Tourism meeting.

The lights will be switched on at 5pm.

The event has been brought forward this year to avoid a clash with the annual Livestock Market event, and another Christmas Festival taking place in Guilsfield on November 30.