Skate on down to Christmas market
BY NEWS REPORTER
toby@slpmedia.co.uk
A new street market is coming to South London. A three-month trial of the market will take place in Thornton Heath High Street and Brigstock Road
The first market will be the Christmas edition on Saturday, December 16 from 10am until 4pm. Local artisans, craft people and community organisations will take stalls at the market, giving visitors plenty to browse and buy.
For entertainment, there will live music and carol singers, in addition to Thornton Heath’s first open-air ice rink in the Garnet Road car park. The market is organised by the Thornton Heath Community Action Team (THCAT), who have appointed Hi5 events to supply the ice rink. THCAT are appealing to the community for donations to cover the cost of bringing the rink to Thornton Heath.
The target is £2,100 and more than half of this has been reached already. Donations of £10 or more will be allocated two free tickets for the ice rink. Tickets will be £5 for a 30-minute skate, including skate hire.
There will be music while you skate and you can buy food while you wait. Crystal Palace Football Club’s Palace for Life Foundation will also be handing out information, and young children will have the opportunity to have a go on the popular fastest shot game.
There is a cosy pub at each end of the market – The Prince George, which is having a fundraising race night for the ice rink appeal on Friday, December 1 with raffle and prizes, and The Railway Telegraph, which is holding a fundraising quiz night on Friday, December 8.
Each pub will have an outside stall offering mulled wine and mince pies. Elsewhere, kids get to meet Santa and his Elves in The Barber Store in Thornton Heath High Street from 1pm-4pm, while Christmas children’s arts workshops will take place in the Salvation Army community centre. There will also be information stalls showcasing local groups, clubs and organisations.
The crowds will be kept entertained by live music from carol singers including choir members and parishioners from St Andrew’s church in Brook Road who will be accompanied by members of Croydon Brass band and the Salvation Army’s Russian children’s choir.
Stalls selling unique presents, stocking fillers, festive decorations, hand crafted gifts and real Christmas trees will also feature.