Celebrations as Pageant steals best dressed title

From Northbrook Street and throughout the town, shop windows were filled with festive treats, from brilliant baubles to smiling snowmen and festive fairies, all hoping to win the title in the competition, run by the

Newbury Business Improvement District, Newbury Building Society and the Newbury Weekly News.
The competition attracted 43 entrants but it was Pageant who stole the show, encompassing the true wonder of Christmas with its model of a boy staring in amazement into the window.
Business owner Lionel Zeffertt said: “When the BID announced that there was going to be a competition I said ‘I’m going to win that’.
“I think it’s important at Christmas to have a great window display.
“I’m chuffed to bits to have won. Virtually everything in our shop window is handmade. My wife is the creative on of the partnership.
“She put a lot of effort in to win it.”
The pair were awarded a trophy, a free advertisement in the Newbury Weekly News and tickets to Newbury Racecourse as their prize.
Newbury deli Panousha Baguettes was named best dressed independent store and was awarded a free advertisement in the Newbury Weekly News. Stealing the title for best dressed charity shop was the RSPCA store in Cheap Street, who received a £100 donation to their charity, while the best chain went to JoJo Maman Bebe, staff at which received a Christmas hamper.
Competition entrants who first impress the public, with finalists then going before a three-strong panel of judges - Steve White and Jane Bosher from Newbury Building Society, and the Newbury Weekly News’ very own Nicola McGuinness.
Each public vote also acted as an entry into a free prize draw to win an NBS savings account with £150 paid into it, won by a Mr T Ward from Thatcham.