The Spirit of Knutsford

The Spirit of Knutsford

In a blog I wrote for The Hub back in April about The Royal May Day in Knutsford, I said that it was my favourite time of the year. May I change my mind please? When the children go back to school in September after a long summer, we know that from that point onwards there are several events to look forward to in the run-up to Christmas.  Thanks to the many dedicated, collaborative and imaginative people who live and work here, Knutsford has become, and I think particularly in recent years, a destination to visit because of the great events the town organises and celebrates.

The Pumpkin Path last weekend was exceptionally good. Now in its third year, the popularity of this celebration of Halloween has soared and the costumes were fab.  The three main organisers are Stephanie Meachin from Gusto who came up with the concept, Julia Chard from Mr Simms Sweet Shop and Bridget McCreery from Knutsford Bloom florist, and they should be congratulated for running such a safe and enjoyable event. The event wouldn’t have been possible without an army of volunteers from Knutsford Hosts, Knutsford Lions and Knutsford Academy who did (among other things) the very difficult job of stewarding. Thanks also go to the Promote Knutsford Forum who supported the event and Damsel in Design for the artworking.  The chosen charity this year was the British Red Cross. Knutsford’s historic look and status, makes it the perfect place to spend Halloween. With the traders staying open into the evening and participating by giving sweets to the “trick or treaters”, the sense of community was palpable.

This year there were witches, wizards, strange looking parrot-babies, Wednesday Addams, Cousin Its, Teen Wolves, Spacemen, Vampires, Banshees, Harry Potters and this year there was an increase in adult participation, some of them outshining the kids!  The guy with the zip on his face and the blood-splattered suit must’ve been in make-up for an age (unfortunately my photo of him didn’t come out)! My kids had their make-up done in the afternoon by Lynette Page on Minshull Street, with all the proceeds going to charity. The dancers from the Knutsford Academy were terrific, as was the host Peter from Pulse of Perfumery. The Mayor, Tony Dean, making a zombie-fied appearance at the end was really funny. It was Knutsford at its best.

The Scout’s annual bonfire at Booths Park is next Saturday 7th November. I’ve been attending this event since the 70s, so I always get nostalgic when anticipating this night. Although bonfire night has become rather more sophisticated than it was in the “olden days” (as my kids refer to my childhood) the atmosphere is still the same.  Sparklers, baked-potatoes, and apple-bobbing have in the main been replaced by glo-sticks, hotdogs and fairground rides.  The bonfire has got bigger, the fireworks have got louder and it’s not your dad and his mates lighting them and walking rather casually away from them in the dark any more! A wonderful night, still being enjoyed by the residents of Knutsford a generation on.

Yesterday I spent an hour on Knutsford Town Council’s stall at the Makers Market.  The Council is also gearing up to Christmas.  It was great to meet so many residents and visitors at this vibrant market, it also gave us the chance to let people know about the work of the council who have organised the following line-up of events for Christmas.

Here’s the running order from KTC:

Saturday 28th November 4pm – 7pm

Christmas Lights Switch On

Kicking off the Christmas season in style with a fantastic assortment of community entertainment. Entertainment is likely to feature local school choirs, the Tatton Singers, Knutsford Rock Choir and much more. The Lights will be switched on by a local celebrity and the whole event is hosted by Silk 106.9 FM.

Saturday 28th November 4pm

Reindeer Parade

A highlight of the Christmas Weekend for many children (and adults too!) is the Reindeer Parade. Santa brings a team of his Reindeer to bring him along King Street and into Canute Place before Santa says hello to his fans!

Saturday 28th and Sunday 28th November 11am – 4pm

Christmas Market

The two-day festive street market will line Princess Street on Saturday 28th (12-7) and Sunday 29th November (11-4) showcasing a vast array of local crafts, food and drink. With gift ideas galore, plenty to treat yourself too, and of course our fantastic high-street retailers this is the perfect weekend to kick-start your Christmas Shopping. The Market will feature over 100 traders each day, a funfair, inflatable snow globe, live entertainment and plenty of festive feeling! If you would like to trade at the market register your interest on to join the trader mailing list and receive the booking information as soon as it is released

Sunday 29th November 4pm

Crib Service

The Christmas Crib is blessed and a selection of Carols sang as part of the Crib Service on Sunday 29th November at 4pm. Lead by the local churches with an introduction from the Mayor.

Saturday 5th December 4pm (ish)

Lantern Parade

Introduced in 2014, the 2015 Lantern Parade will be held on Saturday 5th December. Setting off just after dusk the streets will be lined with an array of lanterns lighting up the nights sky as the parade processes through the town centre. More information will be made available nearer the time – but get your thinking caps on as this year there will be a competition for the best designed Lantern!

Community Christmas Tree Festival

Organised by St Cross Church the Christmas Tree Festival is held every two years (next event 2016) and brings together a host of local businesses, schools, sports clubs, the police, the library and of course the Town Council under one roof with their uniquely decorated Christmas Trees representing their organisation. There has been shuttlecock choristers from the badminton club, a pink tree from the police, Father Christmas skeletons from the physios, a tree wrapped in bandages from First Responders, a Lego street scene featuring the Belle Epoque and many more ingenious creations! The event raises money for local charities and in 2014 raised money for the Knutsford Community First Responders.

I think we’re very lucky to have so much going on in our town, organised by the residents, traders and by Knutsford Town Council. Knutsford just keeps getting better. It’s a great place to live and bring up children. The run up to Christmas is my favourite time of year, but you’ll have to excuse me if I change my mind again in April when the Royal May Day is approaching.

Author Cllr Charlotte Greenstein, Independent Councillor, Knutsford.