Traders of Greenwich Market put up their seasonal Christmas display
Remember the terrible tangle of your Christmas lights when you had to put them away last January?
The traders of Greenwich Market have not been put off by the experience, though.
They wanted – and have got – a seasonal display which does justice to being the only market on a World Heritage Site.
Seven giant lanterns, suspended from the market roof, depict artistic interpretations of the gifts described in The 12 Days of Christmas carol.
The illustrations are framed by The Cutty Sark, The Greenwich Foot Tunnel, The Old Royal Naval College, The Royal Observatory and Canary Wharf, which can be seen from the viewpoint in Greenwich Park.
The lantern lights are set among golden icicles, creating a heavenly ceiling befitting of London’s favourite arts and crafts market.
Greenwich Hospital’s property director, Gillie Bexson, said: “We wanted to create a very special Christmas Experience for shoppers this year in Greenwich Market – and our new lights do just that.
They are beautiful, unique, handmade – all the trademarks of the products sold in our independent shops and to be discovered on our designer maker arts and craft stalls.
ArtyParty helped pupils from five local schools create the large, colourful, paper lanterns. They were Meridian Primary School, St Matthew Academy, James Wolfe Primary School, Ivicta Primary Schools Deptford and Blackheath.
Led by jazz band Tunnel Chops and The Mayor, Councillor Mick Hayes, The Mayoress of Greenwich, Howard Cattermole Secretary of Greenwich Hospital, the children and parents proudly paraded through the ORNC grounds, round Cutty Sark Gardens and into the market for the big Christmas Countdown and Lights On.
After the lights on, pupils from the Angelina Jandolo Dance Showcase and Greenwich Stagecoach singers performed on stage, to the delight of visitors of all ages.
The evening was especially festive thanks to the simultaneous Greenwich Town Centre Lights On, hosted by the town hall.
Crowds were entertained in Cutty Sark Gardens by street and stage performers, school choirs and the switching on of the Greenwich Christmas Tree lights.
Other popular activities included a giant snow globe photo booth and children’s arts and crafts, balloon modelling and fairground rides.
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