THIS year’s 2022 Wokingham Winter Carnival thronged with visitors at the weekend.
Despite a damp start to the day, an estimated 20,000 people came to enjoy the event.
The winter celebration was spread throughout the town, with a funfair that stretched from Broad Street to Peach Street.
This is Wokingham Lions Club’s first year running the event but they have previously organised similar occasions such as Wokingham’s May Fayre, the Classic Car Show and spring and autumn Wokingham Walks.
Tim Hanton, chair of Wokingham Lions Club welcomed everyone to the carnival, and began by thanking all the committee members, who have been working on the project for the last ten months.
He also praised volunteers who had stood in the pouring rain earlier that morning, setting everything up, and thanked all the sponsors and stall holders.
“Fingers crossed that the rain has now stopped, and will disappear for the rest of the day,” he said.
“We’re really excited to be taking over the running of the Winter Carnival this year.
“It’s our first year to be doing this, and the event has been quite a key part of Wokingham for a number of years now, so we are really keen to be carrying on.”
Wokingham Town mayor, councillor Maria Gee then opened the event, along with her mayor’s consort Chris Gee, and mini mayor Jayden Hawie.
“We’re delighted to open the carnival,” she said.
“We’re looking forward to judging all the stalls, and to the carols, the switching on of the Christmas tree lights, and the laser show.
“The carnival is in very safe hands with Wokingham Lions Club organising it.
“They are an absolutely wonderful group, and they come with plenty of past experience.”
Visitors enjoyed fairground rides and free all-day entertainment from the Market Place stage, with performances from a number of choirs and music groups.
More than 120 craft, food and charity stalls lined the roads, and children and their families were excited to chat with Santa in his grotto about their Christmas lists.
The day’s festivities ended with a traditional carol concert, the lighting of the Christmas Tree in Market Square, and a laser show that lit up the town.
The first Wokingham Winter Carnival in the town took place in 1994, and since then has grown into a popular event.
Philip Mirfin, previous organiser of the event for more than 20 years, said: “It’s great to see this Wokingham tradition continue.
“People love to bring their children to a funfair.
“This is the first year we have handed the organisation over to Wokingham Lions Club, so things are a little bit different, but change is often a good thing.
“It’s a very big project to take on.
“It takes a year to prepare, and the planning starts in January.
“You have to book things early, and parts of the funfair come from all over the country.
“Amazingly, by 8pm on the evening of the event, everything disappears as the rides go on to other fairs.”
Following the event, Tim Hanton said: “We were really pleased with the Winter Carnival this year.
“Despite the weather, there were excellent crowds in the town centre.
“The Entertainment worked really well, culminating with the laser show.
“We had more stalls than last year and the initial feedback from the Charity stalls is that they have done really well, which is fantastic as that is part of the aim of the day to support the local charities in Wokingham.
“I would like to thank my fellow Lions for their support in putting on the event and the many volunteers on the day, without whom we could not run the event.
“Finally, a thank you to the people of Wokingham and the loyal stallholders for their continued support at the event.
The event is supported by Wokingham Town Council and The Wokingham Society, along with Trademark Windows and The Rose Inn.
Funds raised by Wokingham Lions Club will be distributed between the year’s major beneficiaries: Kaleidoscope UK, Building For The Future, and other charities and good causes.
For information visit: www.wintercarnival.co.uk, or search for the Wokingham Winter Carnival page on Facebook.
For more about Wokingham Lions Club visit: www.wokinghamlions.org.uk, follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or call: 03458 337384.
