Record crowds turn out for Bungay’s Christmas street fair

Bungay Christmas Market. Heather Skipper selling Christmas gifts. (Image: ©archant2015)

The event has gained a wide reputation over the past years - and people from all over the region wanted to taste its atmosphere and look out for Christmas bargains.

It meant every parking space in the town, and down Ditchingham and Earsham dams, was taken as an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 people enjoyed the experience.

Organised by Mary Buck for the Chamber of Trade, it included more than 100 stalls offering a wide variety of gifts, Christmas plants and trees, decorations and many other items – and the town’s shops and eating places were all open to take advantage of the crowds.

Father Christmas paid a visit during the morning to hand out sweets before retreating to his grotto at the Fisher Theatre to meet children individually. There was also plenty of street entertainment.

A magician mingled with the crowds, there was singing, and music from the Bungay High School group Highs and Lows.

Town Reeve Eamon Gaffney and Town Mayor Olly Barnes did walk-abouts with their wives during the morning, and Town Crier Martin Payne made the announcements.

It was the third of the Bungay annual street fairs, all of which bring thousands of people to the town.

On Saturday evening the Bungay Christmas lights were officially switched on by Waveney MP Peter Aldous, watched by large crowds in the market place and supported by the Town Reeve and Mayor.

There was a hog roast and mulled wine and mince pies available, and entertainment from The X-Men.

The star ceremony for the lighting of the star on top of St Mary’s Church took place the previous weekend in a short event conducted by the rector, the Rev Ian Byrne.

Have you got a story for Bungay? Email lynn.crombie@archant.co.uk