Pantomime actors to light up Tadley
Countdown to light up Tadley's Christmas tree to take place at the end of November
IN what has become a Tadley tradition, the town's Christmas
tree lights will be switched on at the end of November by
actors starring in the annual pantomime at The Anvil theatre, Basingstoke.
The organiser of the Christmas extravaganza, Tadley Town Council, has confirmed that Ben-Ryan Davies and Pete Hillier, who are taking part in this year's pantomime Peter Pan, will light up the tree and adjacent section of the main road through the town, at 7pm, on Friday, November 25, at the council offices in Franklin Avenue.
Ben-Ryan Davies, who plays the ever young Peter Pan, is known for his role as Ronan Burley in Waterloo Road, the BBC-1 television series set in a comprehensive school, while children's television presenter and dancer, Peter Hillier (Smee), is best known as Boogie Peter on the BBC's Boogie Beebies.
The event starts at 6pm with a Christmas market selling Christmas gifts, plus charity stalls with raffles and tombolas.
A stilt walker and juggler Mr Crimbo will be walking through the crowd, and there will also be a merry-go-round, and Santa's grotto, along with refreshments and free mince pies.
Burnham Copse Primary School will start the carol singing at 6pm, and this will be followed at 6.30pm by more festive songs with Tadley Band, the Hurst Singers
and the Tadley Singers.
Christmas is clearly on the horizon around North Hampshire, with events such as a Christmas fair, organised by the Friends of Kingsclere School.
It will be held on Friday, December 2, from 3.30pm to 5.30pm, in the hall at Kingsclere Primary School.
There will be stalls with games such as tug the tinsel and hoopla reindeer, crafts, a raffle and seasonal refreshments, along with a tombola, lucky dip, cakes, and lucky bags.
At Highclere Castle, the owners of the family estate, Lord and Lady Carnarvon will throw open the doors of their Victorian stately home from 9.30am, on Tuesday, December
6 and Wednesday, December 7 for this year's two-day, charity fund-raising fair.
