All set for the biggest event for Bury St Edmunds

The Bury St Edmunds Christmas Fayre is undoubtedly the single biggest event that takes place in the town each year.

Whether you are a resident, live nearby, work in the town, or are a visitor, we want you to be able to come along and enjoy all that the fayre has to offer.

John Griffiths, leader of St Edmundsbury Borough Council, said: “The Christmas Fayre is a fun, festive event that our local families and communities can get involved in. Many will come along to watch their loved ones perform on stage in the various choirs or their children taking part in the lantern parade.

“As organisers, St Edmundsbury knows from the feedback that it receives, that many people both in Bury and from outside of the town, enjoy the friendly, festive atmosphere of the fayre. It’s here for you so take part and enjoy it.

On top of this we also know that fayre provides a huge boost to the local economy attracting visitors from far and wide.”

For those able to attend the fun starts from 2pm on Thursday, November 23.

As well as the lantern parade and fireworks, the opening event includes late night shopping and an East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) Carol Concert in St Edmundsbury Cathedral at 6pm, followed by a fireworks finale in the Abbey Gardens at around 7.45pm.

The fayre then resumes from at 9am to 8pm on both the Friday and Saturday, and from 10am to 5pm on the Sunday.

A Park and Ride service will be in operation from the Friday through till the close of Sunday, while the council’s car park in Olding Road – approximately 10 minutes from the town centre – will serve as a free Park and Walk facility for the Saturday and Sunday. Additional car parks will also be provide during the fayre courtesy of Greene King.

For those driving, Radio West Suffolk fm 103.3 will be providing regular updates on where to park during the fayre, while you can also get your passengers to follow out @stedsbc Twitter feed #buryparking for live updates.

Mr Griffiths added: “While there is no evidence of any specific threat, like any other large events across the UK, you may see a range of physical security measures at this year’s Christmas Fayre as a precaution.

“They include a variety of effective bollard and barrier systems that have been approved and meet national standards. Some of our measures have also been designed and integrated as part of our street furniture to blend into the aesthetics of our beautiful town, so they may not be apparent, but they are there. We would also like to say thank you to the police who have worked with us and encourage visitors to say hello to officers and also give them your support as they will also be on patrol and are part of public services working together to support our communities and help people enjoy this great event.”

A Suffolk Police spokesman said: “As always, we are looking forward to policing the Bury St Edmunds Christmas Fayre again this year. We’ll have uniformed (armed and unarmed), plain clothed patrols and police dogs on site, who will be working hard to keep everyone safe and make sure they have a great time.”

“We will be deploying a range of highly skilled and specially trained officers who will be working close with security staff to keep an eye on the site to maintain a crime-free event.

“We also ask you the public to remember you also have key role to play in help keeping yourself and event safe. If you see anything unusual, trust your instincts and immediately call security on 01284 758008 or 01284 758009, the police on 101 or 999 depending on urgency.”

For more on the fayre visit www.burystedmundschristmasfayre.co.uk

There will be a number of road closures in the run up to and during the fayre:

Tuesday, November 21

• Angel Hill – car parking suspended from 6pm November 21 until 11pm Sunday, November 26

Wednesday, November 22

• Angel Hill road closure – from 9.30am until 11pm Sunday, November 26
• Hatter Street – road closure from 10am until 10pm Sunday, November 26
• High Baxter Road – no through traffic from 10am until Sunday, November 26

Thursday, November 23

• Angel Lane – one way reversal to two way traffic from 1pm until 10pm Sunday, November 26
• Buttermarket and Cornhill – road closure from 8pm until Sunday, November 26
• Chequer Square – parking suspended to all traffic including residents parking permit holders from 6pm until 7pm Sunday, November 26
• Crown Street and Honey Hill – parking suspended to all traffic from 6pm until 7pm Sunday,  November 26
• Lower Baxter Street – no through traffic from 1pm until 10pm Sunday, November 26

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 24, 25 and 26

• Great Churchyard – closed to all vehicles from 3pm – 5.30pm (each day)
• St Johns Street/Brentgovel Street – road closure from 9am until 6pm (each day)
• The Traverse/Woolhall Street – road closed to all traffic except taxis from 9am until 6pm (each day)