Botley Parish Council Chair Update – Carols in the Square
This month’s update from the Parish Council puts a spotlight on Carols in the Square. How does this event even get off the ground? Read on for more. For those that attended on the 8th of December thank you. Seeing so many of the community enjoying the closed High Street, the choir and band, and the different vendors selling food and drinks was a joy.
The planning for Carols started in the summer, with an event plan triggered by finding a suitable date for all the key participants – the choir, stage and band. This then kicks off the road closure application to Hampshire County Council. Based on feedback from last year’s event for a market, the Parish Council was keen to make this happen. Our event partners Dream Empire Events provided a range of vendors in the Market Hall, with plenty of great gifts. Sadly, the windy weather meant some outside vendors could not join us this year. Hopefully, Carols 2025 will see more market traders for the Botley community to enjoy.
On the day early in the morning, the team laid out no parking cones and road-closed signage. Due to the weather we constantly reviewed whether we should run Carols 2024, but the team were confident some type of event could be held based on the forecast. The wind was dropping as expected, and the square’s north was sheltered. It would be safe to run. It was a go.
We have a fraught moment with a car parked in the same place as the stage. The car handily makes a quick exit over the pavement before too much of the stage is built. Volunteers are given a safety briefing and then we close the High Street at 1 pm to allow the teacups ride time to be built. The wind this year meant signs were often blown over, keeping the traffic marshals busy.
Cllr Chris Cooper with Carol and Vanessa two of our amazing marshals.
Our other event partner, RSW Sounds, responsible for the stage and sound system decided due to the wind to forego the stage roof. The band was concerned about the rain, which held off luckily until the end. Father Christmas arrived courtesy of his friends from the Hamble Valley Rotary as the last carols played out.
The event tends to wrap up quickly, but even quicker when the drizzle starts. With the crowd dispersing and the vendors packing up as well, Botley High Street was back to normal just after 5pm. Once the High Street is reopened the team then clears up the cones and signs ready for the next event.
Feedback from attendees, vendors and our local pubs has been positive. So, 2024’s Carols in the Square I will mark as a success despite the challenging blowy conditions. My thanks to the All-Saints Choir and Southampton Grad Band for the superb carols.
Thank you as well to the Parish team, our Councillors and volunteers and our event partners for putting on a great event.
Pictures from 8th December Carols in the Square
Picture credit: Cllr Chris Cooper