LAST WEEKEND two annual staples in our borough’s calendar took place: the Winter Carnival and Woodley’s Christmas light switch-on.
Both had notable firsts.
The Woodley lights were moved from outside Waitrose to the new Centre Stage area, while this year’s Winter Carnival was the first big event to make use of the new-look Market Place.
Yes, it was a shame that Peach Place wasn’t part of this year’s festivities but it will be pressed into use for the May Fayre and we can’t wait.
Both Woodley’s new Centre Stage and Wokingham’s new Market Place are great new spaces and this weekend’s events, which went smoothly, showcased the importance of the flexible new spaces.
Woodley didn’t feel hemmed in, but more spacious and relaxed.
Wokingham was bright and cheery with the new space meaning that additional stalls could be placed in the centre of the town.
That thousands of people came out to celebrate the start of our Christmas countdowns on both days is testament to the popularity –still – of our physical spaces, our brilliant independent shops and our wonderful volunteers who make these events happen.
Well done to all involved.
There’s more again this weekend: it’s Small Business Saturday and that’s well worth supporting.
Get shopping!
