Ashford residents enjoyed festive fun at Carnival of the Baubles despite storm

All images courtesy of Matt Wilson.

Storm Bert didn’t stop the festive cheer in Ashford Town Centre on Saturday 23 November. Despite the parade part of Carnival of the Baubles having to be cancelled, the community still came out in their droves to support the event and the day was fun filled from start to finish.

Over 1,500 people visited the Bauble Illumination Station, which was set up in County Square. The lights were dimmed with all the lanterns on display and lit up and DJs played music to create a Carnival of the Baubles festive cave.

Created by local businesses, schools and community groups this year’s lanterns were based on this year’s theme Ashford – The Place That Makes Us – with hearts of the community, a steam locomotive ‘Stour Express’, a stag and lots more.

Visitors got to enjoy brilliant performances from many local groups including Lumina Dance, Liv 2 Dance, Theatre Train, The Ashford Rotary Choir and JVyoU and not forgetting Baby Fire Bird. The Ashford Cinema at Elwick Place also put on showings of Elf to help get everyone in the festive spirit.

Cllr Heather Hayward, Portfolio Holder for Tourism and Culture at Ashford Borough Council, said: “Ashford's creative community have not only shown their artistic talents this weekend, but also their incredible resilience.

“I am immensely proud of the Made in Ashford team, Emergency Exit Arts and Ashford Borough Council colleagues who created the Bauble Illumination Station in such a short space of time following the cancellation of the parade due to Storm Bert.

“Their efforts were rewarded by our fantastic local community who braved the weather and came to support the event. The atmosphere around the town was electric. Christmas has begun!”

Image below - Mayor of Ashford, Cllr Lyn Suddards, holding a lantern created for herself that she also helped decorate called 'Heart of the Community'.

Elwick Place's Christmas Light Switch On and unveiling of ELFwick Place has been rescheduled for this Friday 29 November.

From 4pm, visitors can head to Elwick Place's Piazza to see the unveiling of ELFwick Place. Festivities will feature a variety of Christmas crafts, food and drink from Matches Sports Bar and The Ashford Cinema, delicious treats, coffees and mulled wine from Caffeine and Fizz, fantastic performances by Theatre Train and Towers Performing Arts and guest appearance from the Ashford Theatre Society's Jack and the Beanstalk panto cast!

For one day only, 29 November, Santa will be making a special visit to officially open the ELFwick Post Office - which will then be open on selected dates throughout December. Children can explore the magical post office while experiencing a meet-and-greet with Santa himself.

As part of the seasonal celebrations, families can collect a free ELFwick Elf Passport from Santa during the Christmas Light Switch On or at the ELFwick Post Office and The Ashford Cinema from 29 November. Collect a passport and take part in a variety of festive activities around Elwick Place this winter.

For those that couldn’t make it, the Bauble Illumination Station will also be open on Saturday 30 November and Saturday 7 December, 10am – 3pm, for you to see this year’s lanterns and take part in free festive craft activities with Made in Ashford. Those who helped create this year’s lanterns will also be able to collect theirs to take it home.

You can also do the Lantern Window Trail from Thursday 28 November until Friday 13 December, with some lanterns on show in businesses throughout Ashford Town Centre. More information is available on the Love Ashford website.

This year’s event was organised in partnership with Ashford Borough Council and Emergency Exit Arts with Made in Ashford and supported by a host of talented local artists.

A special thank you goes to our festival and events sponsors Bucksford Law, EKC Ashford College, Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce and You Fibre who helped raise the profile of this year’s event and took part in creating this year’s lanterns.

The organisers would love to hear your feedback, please visit the Love Ashford website to fill in the quick survey.