Kingsbridge Celebrated Christmas last weekend and it attracted hundreds of people

Kingsbridge Celebrated Christmas in a big way last weekend as the town was full to bursting with people, and the town square was alive with festive fun and ice skating. 

The ice rink was twice the size as it was last year, and completely free to enjoy, so there was a constant queue of people waiting to enjoy it, and all around the town people were shopping, getting into the festive spirit and checking out the local businesses. 

Father Christmas met hundreds of children up at the top of Fore Street and regaled them with tales from the North Pole and life with the elves and just outside the Kingsbridge Fire Crew showed them around their fire engine. 

The crowds on Fore Street 

The team behind Kingsbridge Celebrates Christmas, Sam, Wayne, Tina and Ian, have given us a round up of the day from their perspective. They say: "When Santa places a 2023 diary in your stocking in just over 2 weeks time, be sure to add the date of the next Kingsbridge Celebrates Christmas!

"As the four-person team behind the day put their feet up (after soaking them in warm water for days!), we'd like to reflect a little on the success of this year's event.

"We doubled the size of the FREE Ice Rink this year, which we couldn't have done without incredibly generous sponsorship from Toad Hall Cottages and The Rockbox, which accompanied the Ice Rink on the Town Square serving up their burgers, fries, pizzas and other tempting treats… all using the finest local produce. The Rockbox team certainly know how to put ‘great tastes in your takeaways’!

"Santa was given a new home-from-home at Activities 115 this year, where he greeted over 250 children (and their accompanying adults), and with the help of his magic elves each child received a FREE gift kindly sponsored by Kingsbridge Estate Agents."

Santa at Kingsbridge Celebrates Christmas 

They continued: "The crew of Kingsbridge’s Fire Station showed countless children and adults around the town’s appliance (and reminded everyone to check their smoke alarms!), we entertained the queuing crowds with a larger-than-life Christmas Cracker, got covered in “snow” at Crunchy’s party on the Town Square and sign-posted visitors to the Cookworthy Museum, Methodist Church and the Anchor Centre.

"At the bottom of Fore Street we entertained the crowds with live music throughout the day, starting with the familiar sounds of the Art Deco Jazz Band and finishing with Lee McCombe. Other artists included the Novark Harmony Group, Kate Ferguson and Rich Hamer, Banned from the Moor, Jake Feetenby and the Kingsbridge Community Primary School Choir.

"Also at the bottom of Fore Street we sold hundreds of reusable Kingsbridge Celebrates Christmas cups, many filled (and refilled) with hot Mulled Wine, in a bid to help reduce our environmental impact on the day and beyond.

"Our street market ranged from Fore Street businesses showcasing their year-round offerings, delicious food stalls, to charities raising vital funds for those in need.

"Whether looking for a treat for man’s best friend, some handmade jewellery, a locally made burger or lend your support to the Kingsbridge Rugby Football Club’s Under 16 Girls’ team, who rowed their way to raising funds for their upcoming tour; we had traders covering (almost) everything from A to Z.

"The organising committee would like to pass on their heartfelt thanks to this year’s sponsors: Toad Hall Cottages; The Rockbox; F J Emery Oils Ltd; Thurlestone Hotel; Kingsbridge Estate Agents; Winter Fuel Store; PCA Consulting Engineers; Belinda David; Kingsbridge, Salcombe and Modbury Chamber of Commerce; Devon County Council; South Hams District Council; and Kingsbridge Town Council.

"Our final thanks goes to the wonderful townsfolk of Kingsbridge who make this event a joy to organise!
Kingsbridge Celebrates Christmas returns on Saturday, 2 December, 2023. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Sam, Wayne, Tina and Ian."