Christmas fun for all ages

Whether it’s visiting Santa’s grotto, funfair rides or buying some special locally made gifts for loved ones, the Bury St Edmunds Christmas Fayre has it all.

There’s plenty for the young and young at heart to enjoy at this year’s fayre which take place from Thursday to Sunday, November 21 to 24.

Santa will be setting up his grotto in the Arc Shopping Centre this year while in the Abbey Gardens there will be free face painting, a free magic show plus the chance to meet some reindeer and donkeys as well. There’s also plenty of funfair rides and games to entertain all ages.

This year’s Christmas Fayre will also see the launch of four new local businesses – all selling various arts and crafts.

Among the items on sale will be candles, diffusers, handmade cards, stained glass framed designs and jewellery, wood-turned items including bowls and platters and hand-painted signs on recyclable materials.

They will all be trading in The Traverse on the Thursday, Friday and Sunday of the fayre.

All four took up the council’s offer to gain free insight and training so as to turn their interest into a market-based business trading on West Suffolk’s markets for a free period so their business gets established.

There’s plenty more taking place with more than 300 stalls, markets, plus activities in The Apex, The Athenaeum and Moyse’s Hall Museum to enjoy as well.

For more on what’s on when visit www.burystedmundschristmasfayre.co.uk

A West Suffolk Council spokesperson said: “The Christmas Fayre is the perfect chance to get into the festive mood and enjoy a family day out together in beautiful, historic Bury St Edmunds. There’s lots of games and activities as well as choirs and street entertainment to enjoy. Lots of community groups are involved in making the fayre the success it is and that all adds to the lovely, warm atmosphere that makes visitors want to come to Bury St Edmunds from far and wide. The fayre isn’t just about showcasing Bury St Edmunds over a few days – lots of people that come here during the fayre return at other times of the year to contribute to the success of our local economy and enjoy all the wonderful things that West Suffolk has to offer.”

A Park and Ride service will be in operation from 11am on the Thursday through to the Sunday evening.

Park and Walk from the council’s car park in Olding Road is only 15 minutes from the fayre and will be available on the Saturday and Sunday. Greene King and West Suffolk College’s car parks will also be available during the weekend of the fayre.

Family saver tickets are available for those coming by train. Bus services will also be in operation throughout the fayre. For more visit https://www.burystedmundschristmasfayre.co.uk/

Visitors may notice a range of physical security measures including barrier systems and bollards, similar to those at last year’s fayre. Police will once again be providing a vigilant eye over the fayre.

A West Suffolk Council spokesperson said: “The police work closely with us and we are thankful for their continuing support. We encourage visitors to say hello to officers and give them your support as they support our communities and help people enjoy this great family friendly event.”

Inspector Matt Paisley, from Suffolk Police said: “As always, we are looking forward to policing the Bury St Edmunds Christmas Fayre once again this year. As we did last year we will have uniformed (armed and unarmed), plain clothed patrols and police dogs on site, who will be working 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 a key role to play in help keeping yourself and the 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.”

ROAD CLOSURES

Tuesday, November 10 

From 6pm car parking is suspended on Angel Hill until 11pm Sunday, November 24.

From 6pm car parking is suspended in parking bays in Hatter Street until 10pm Sunday, November 24.

Wednesday, November 20

Angel Hill from 9.30am road will be closed until 11pm Sunday, November 24.

Cornhill and Buttermarket – from 6pm, after the market, road closed and parking suspended until 6pm Sunday, November 24.

Chequer Square from 6pm parking suspended until 10pm Sunday, November 24.

Hatter Street – from 10am road closed until 10pm Sunday, November 24.

High Baxter Street – no through traffic to Hatter Street, access only from 10am until 10pm Sunday, November 24.

Crown Street and Honey Hill – from 6pm no residents parking, limited parking, parking suspended until Sunday, November 24.

Thursday, November 21

Angel Lane – road closed from 11am until 10pm Sunday, November 24.

Lower Baxter Street – no through traffic to Angel Lane, access only from 11am until 10pm Sunday, November 24.

Friday, November 22

St Johns Street/Brentgovel Street – road closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9am until 6pm Sunday, November 24.

Great Churchyard – road closed to all vehicles on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 3pm until 5.30pm.