Town Council services holiday opening times

Posted on 20th December 2021 by office

The opening times for all Town Council facilities over the winter break are as follows:

Town Council: Closed Friday 24th December 2021 until Tuesday 4th January 2022.
Tourist Information Centre: Closed 24th – 28th December 2021 and 1st – 2nd January 2022. Normal service resumes 3rd January.
Shopmobility: Closed Saturday 25th, Tuesday 28th December 2021 and Saturday 1st January 2022. Normal service resumes 4th January.
Lace Hill Sports and Community Centre: Closed Friday 24th December – Tuesday 4th January 2022 unless booked for hire.
Buckingham Markets: Closed Saturday 25th December and 1st January. Tuesday markets open as normal throughout.

Have a fantastic break and we can’t wait to see you in the New Year.

Buckingham: shopping all wrapped up in a charming market town

Posted on 8th December 2021 by admin

Roll over plans from 2020 are brightening up Buckingham this Christmas, including bunting and a selfie banner funded by Buckinghamshire and Villages Community Board, part of Buckinghamshire Council.

The bunting is being handed by the Town Council out to local shops for free, and celebrates Buckingham as a fantastic place to buy everything you need, #AllWrappedUp, this winter. Buckingham truly does have a fantastic offer from toy and book stores to high quality handmade berets and candles to clothes and tools. Any shop wanting to take part in future campaigns should contact the Town Council office.

Shopping as a group experience is back this year too, and a selfie banner has been installed in the town centre, near the Old Gaol, to capture the moment. The banner celebrates all of Buckingham’s shopping areas, including Cornwalls Meadow, the Industrial Estate, the Hidden Quarter and the Town Centre. Share your festive Buckingham pictures with @buckinghamtc on Twitter and Instagram for a chance to be in our newsletter – circulated to 6,500 homes.

Wherever you’re shopping this winter, make sure you discover Buckingham!

Cllr. Robin Stuchbury, Chair of Buckingham Town Council’s Town Centre & Events Committee, told us: “Buckingham Town Centre and Events Committee have taken the opportunity of using the Community Board funding to put up the bunting and the board to continue the committee’s long term desire to support the local economy. Especially at this important trading time around Christmas.”

For enquiries please contact Paul Hodson at Buckingham Town Council on 01280 816426, office@buckingham-tc.gov.uk.

Christmas Parade 2021 Road Closures

Posted on 8th December 2021 by office

The Christmas Parade arrives in Buckingham this Saturday. The town centre will fill with a fantastic array of floats who parade from Chandos Road to the town centre and back again. Each float is made by local groups and, this year, celebrates fashion through the ages. The parade starts from 10.30am.

In order for this to take place a full road closure will be in place, starting from 7am on Saturday 11th December. The links below will take you to more information about road closures, parking restrictions, bus diversions and access to Cornwalls Meadow car park during the event.

Road closures and parking restrictions

Bus diversions

Cornwalls Meadow car park access

Buckingham’s Market draws visitors from far and wide

Posted on 2nd December 2021 by office

While internet shopping is now a firm festive favourite of many, Buckingham Markets have been quietly bucking the trend. The food, essentials and flea markets have been building in popularity over the last few years and now offer a unique, popular and extremely varied range of products and services. As well as decent quality basics at good prices, you’ll find a wide selection of local produce including artisan cheese, street food, handmade products, mixed amongst international flavour – a handy place to pick up your Asian food favourites and eco-friendly jewellery from Ecuador.

Eco-friendly options have been multiplying, new trader Rolling Oats offer completely packaging free products – a brilliant way to pick up store cupboard stables while reducing your waste, and many other stalls are working towards being plastic free. Shopping with your local traders creates other environmental benefits – reducing the food and product miles of the items you buy.

Some of this success has been credited towards Buckingham Markets presence online – linking all that Buckingham has to offer as a thriving market town and tourist destination. Footfall from visitors further away has significantly increased. Market days create a fabulous atmosphere and attract many customers to make purchases and explore the local shops, cafés and restaurants. The Town Council thanks the traders and customers for sticking with their local market throughout several lockdowns and helping it grow so positively.

The Saturday Flea Market is also flourishing. Outdoor flea markets are a vintage gem in themselves – not many still survive across the country, while Buckingham’s continues to grow. Flea markets are a wonderful way to shop, offering a unique selection of vintage, antique and curious items for the home.

As well as being a fantastic way to pick up truly unique gifts, the Flea Market offers environmentally conscious choices – reducing the consumption of new goods, in favour of the old. New gazebos, arriving in the first week of December allow the market to continue in all weathers.

Russell Cross, Buckingham Markets Manager, told us: “Buckingham market is thriving – the variety of stalls has really increased over the last few years with lots of regular stalls and shoppers. It’s become a social hub, shoppers come to meet friends and sit down in a café for tea as well as shop. This compliments local businesses and bring hundreds of new customers into the town.”

Cllr. Robin Stuchbury, Chair of the Town Centre & Events Committee told us: “Throughout the year the markets have been a great success for the community; bringing everyone back together. Thanks to the efforts of the Market Manager and the team that supports them. This success has been important for the financial well-being of the market going forward and only possible through due diligence and being proactive. We’re looking to invest in the markets future including new gazebos for the Flea Market. The events committee will continue to work to support the market, as it did in the summer with its summer market entertainment programme, both for its own good and to support the wider economy of Buckingham. Thank you for continuing to support out our town market.”

Interested in joining the market? Email Russell, our Markets Manager with any enquiries: markets@buckingham-tc.gov.uk

New snowflake motifs bring snow to Buckingham

Posted on 30th November 2021 by office

Buckingham’s town centre has been lit up with brand new Christmas Motif lights. The silver and gold design features snowflakes – a fitting theme as snowflakes caused by Storm Arwen fell throughout the switch-on weekend, covering Buckingham in a light layer of snow.
The motifs, along with the icicle lights that are installed throughout the town centre, were switched on at 5.30pm on Saturday 27th November. Sadly, the planned Switch On event had to be cancelled, as the high winds forecast meant that the lighting and speakers required to run the entertainment could not be safely erected by the contractor. The planned festive market and entertainments were also cancelled due to safety concerns.
Cllr. Robin Stuchbury, Chair of the Town Centre and Events Committee told us: “The new lights are part of a continuous improvement to the festive lights in the town centre funded by the Town Council, with thanks to the town Council Officers who supported this event.”
Several more festive events are planned to take place in Buckingham, including the Christmas Parade, run by the Christmas Parade Committee and supported, facilitated and funded by the Town Council and the Community Fair on 11th December. Any Community Group wanting a stall at the Community Fair is asked to contact Amanda at the Town Council via email events@buckingham-tc.gov.uk or phone: 01280 816 426.

Buckingham Christmas Cards designed by local children for sale in aid of Mayor’s Charities

Posted on 30th November 2021 by office

Three wonderful Christmas Cards have been designed by Buckingham children, which will be printed and sold to raise money for local charities in the Tourist Information Centre from 25^th November. The three designs were designed by Isabella Caswell, age 6, Mere S, age 8 and Eva Whittemore, age 10. The winners were chosen by Mayor of Buckingham, Cllr. Margaret Gateley.

The cards are being sold in aid of the Mayor’s Charities: Project Street Life and Community Care North Bucks. Community Care North Bucks is run by local volunteers and comprises Adult Carers Support Group, YC2 Young Carers: Buckingham & Winslow, Open House and the Hospital Car Service.

Each pack includes 6 cards, 2 of each design, and costs £4. They can be bought from the Tourist Information Centre, Buckingham Old Gaol.

The competition was kindly sponsored by local businesses BCQ Print, who printed the cards, Black Dog Design, who designed them and the Little Buckingham Clinic which means all of the £4 raised from the sale of each pack will go directly to local charities.

Mayor of Buckingham, Cllr. Margaret Gateley told us: “It was really lovely to choose the winners of this year’s Christmas Card competition. This is a great way to raise money for my chosen charities. It is amazing to see such artistic ability from local children. My thanks go to all who entered the competition and my congratulations go to those who won, whose designs can be seen and purchased at The Old Gaol.”

Christmas Lights Switch On 2021 Cancelled

Posted on 27th November 2021 by office

⚠️🎄🚨 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ⚠️🎄🚨

Due to the continued bad weather and high wind warnings in place the Buckingham Christmas Lights Switch On is cancelled.

This was a difficult decision for the Town Council to make, but unfortunately the high wind speeds and the large pieces of equipment required to run the event create too great a safety risk at an outdoor event. The lights will still be turned on tonight, at around 5.30pm.

With thanks to all of our volunteers, traders, musicians, performers, residents and visitors that would have joined the Town Council tonight and who have been such a big part of celebrating Buckingham in 2021.

Please share this message on to anyone you know who was planning to attend. Thank you.

Snow Globe FAQ

Posted on 26th November 2021 by office

Keen to try the snow globe at the Buckingham Christmas Lights Switch On 2021, but have a few questions?

What time will the Snow Globe be open from?

The Globe will be available from 4 – 8pm in Saturday 27^th November.

Do I have to pay?

No, access to the snow globe is free.

Do I need to take our own photos?

No. There will be staff at the event who can use your phone to take photos for you.

Where can we find the Snow Globe?

The Snow Globe will be in the Cattlepens area of Buckingham Town Centre, near Prezzo. In the same area will be the festive market, hot food and drink traders and a children’s ride. There will also be entertainment in this area from 4 – 6pm.

Can I book a slot in advance?

No. Access to the snow globe will be first come, first served. We expect the snow globe to be popular, and would advise arriving early (from 4pm) and joining the queue if you want a photo.

How many people can be in the photo?

We’re asking for people to stick to household groups for photos, please.

Is there wheelchair or mobility scooter access to the snow globe?

Unfortunately not, as the access is too steep. However, our team are happy to make space so that wheelchair users can pose in front of the globe instead. There is also a selfie board at the disabled viewing area for the lights switch-on, outside the Old Gaol, which you might prefer to try. There will be someone in a yellow hi-vis at the front of the globe so please do come and chat with us when you arrive.

Carols and Performance Schedule for Buckingham Christmas Lights Switch On

Posted on 25th November 2021 by office

We’re delighted to welcome you to Buckingham’s Christmas Lights Switch On 2021! This year will see a number of fantastic additions to the event including a FREE giant snow globe, music and dance performances and our biggest ever festive gift market.

Cattle pens area:

4pm onwards:
Christmas Market stalls & entertainment, including FREE giant Snow Globe and meeting Elf on the Shelf.

4-5pm
Strictly Recorders

5.30-6pm
Song and dance performance from Stagecoach

Main stage (Market Hill area):

6.15-6.30pm:
Winslow Concert Band

6.30pm:
Town Crier

6.35pm:
Welcome from the Mayor of Buckingham, Cllr. Margaret Gateley

6.40pm:
Carols with Suzy Smith of Bittersweet Music

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Had a very shiny nose
And if you ever saw it
You would even say it glows

All of the other reindeer
Used to laugh and call him names
They never let poor Rudolph
Join in any reindeer games

Then one foggy Christmas Eve
Santa came to say
“Rudolph, with your nose so bright
Won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?”

Then how the reindeer loved him
As they shouted out with glee
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
You’ll go down in history”

Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the Feast of Stephen
When the snow lay round about
Deep and crisp and even
Brightly shone the moon that night
Though the frost was cruel
When a poor man came in sight
Gathering winter fuel

Hither, page, and stand by me,
If thou knowst it, telling
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?
Sire, he lives a good league hence,
Underneath the mountain
Right against the forest fence
By Saint Agnes fountain.

Bring me flesh and bring me wine
Bring me pine logs hither
Thou and I shall see him dine
When we bear them thither.
Page and monarch, forth they went
Forth they went together
Through the rude winds wild lament
And the bitter weather

6.45pm:
The Mayor’s Chaplain: Rev. Tim Edworthy

6.50pm:
Ding dong! Merrily on high
in heav’n the bells are ringing:
Ding dong! verily the sky
Is riv’n with angel singing.
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

E’en so here below, below,
Let steeple bells be swungen,
And “Io, io, io!”
By priest and people sungen.
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

Pray you, dutifully prime
Your matin chime, ye ringers;
May you beautifully rhyme
Your evetime song, ye singers.
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

6.55pm:
Poem by Sami the Bard of Buckingham

7pm:
The Mayor of Buckingham begins the countdown and the Christmas Lights are turned on

We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas,
We wish you a merry Christmas,
And a Happy New Year!