The annual Henfield Christmas evening on Friday 9 December was a magical festive evening with a record numbers of visitors.
Shops, businesses and Christmas stalls offered shoppers festive nibbles and special offers; Santa made a guest appearance in his grotto (thank you to the Youth Club who invited him!); a children’s mini fun fair, live reindeers, carol singers and a magician provided the entertainment; and hungry shoppers could choose from a variety of street food on offer.
Festive jumpers were out in force for the St Barnabas Hospice ‘Wear it Festive’ day, and the ever-popular children’s Sheep Trail made a return with a flock of sheep, both knitted and pottery, hiding in various shops and businesses up and down the High Street.
The theme for this years best dressed window competition was ‘Red, Gold & Green’ and the high street shops wowed everyone with their wonderfully creative offerings. The winners of the competition were: Best display; White Mischief, best use of space; Jasmines, best use of colour; Henfield Furnishings, with Cinder Rose and All Things Covered winning Highly Commended. Many thanks to judges Stephen McCulley, Headmaster at St Peter’s CE Primary School, Peter Bates from Woodmancote and Ann Donoghue, Parish Councillor.
At the end of the evening the 70 lucky winners of prizes in the Big BN5 Draw in aid of St Barnabas Hospice were announced, rounding off another fabulous village community event. At the time of going to print we have raised in excess of £3,300 for St Barnabas, many thanks to everyone who bought tickets and to the businesses who donated so generously.
This years Christmas evening was organised by The Community Partnership, BN5 Magazine and the High Street Traders, all of whom worked incredibly hard to make it a wonderful evening. A huge thank you to everyone who came along and supported our local high street – we’re already looking forward to next year!
