Buckingham Festive Trail

Posted on 29th November 2022 by lacehill

Complete the Buckingham Festive Trail to be in with a chance of winning £100 to spend in a local shop this Christmas!

From November 26th until December 15th, 2022.

Have fun with the whole family this Christmas with an engaging activity to enjoy together, helping to highlight local businesses and what they have to offer. Explore Buckingham’s streets and follow the Festive Trail to find all twelve presents for Santa's list.

All the presents can be purchased from shops in Buckingham Town Centre. They will be positioned in windows and inside shops to entice people through the doors, engage with shop owners and visit all parts of town they may not usually explore. The presents can be recognised by a 'Buckingham Festive Trail' tag. The presents will represent something to do with that business, to reinforce the products or services on offer.

Pick up a free trail map from Buckingham Tourist Information Centre or download one here. Participants will be able to note the name of the present on the trail map. If you find all the presents, you can enter a prize draw by leaving your completed map at the Tourist Information Centre.

This event is free and open to everyone and has been kindly supported by Buckingham Table.

Show your support and love for local businesses this Christmas, by grabbing a Buckingham Festive Trail map, eating local, and shopping local.

Keep an eye on the Discover Buckingham social media pages for all the news and latest announcements!

T&C's: One correct trail map per household will be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win a £100 voucher to spend locally in Buckingham, in a shop of their choice, the shop must be within the town parish boundary. The draw will take place on Friday 16th December and the winner will be notified on that day.

Santa and his reindeer bring joy to Christmas Lights Switch On

Posted on 29th November 2022 by admin

Micha and Boris, two reindeer, delighted crowds in Buckingham during the Christmas Lights Switch On event, on Saturday 26^th November. The reindeer, from Luxlyk Reindeer in nearby Northamptonshire, were extremely popular all night. Children visited to hear the reindeer handlers speak about how the reindeer were visiting for just the one night, alongside Santa, who waved from Buckingham Table’s Santa Van. While adults learned facts about the reindeer, their diet, and habits. Olaf also made a surprise appearance delighting fans young and old!

The event was opened by the Town Crier, Russell Cross, in one of his final duties before stepping down from the role in the new year. Early in the evening, the lights were turned on by the Mayor of Buckingham, Cllr. Margaret Gateley, and the winners of the Christmas Card contest, Harry Caswell and Daisy Beckett. A reflection of Christmas Lights was delivered by the Rev. Tim Edworthy, the Mayor’s Chaplain.

Under the lights and next to the wonderful Christmas tree, donated by Buckinghamshire Council, the main stage played host to festive music. Great Horwood Silver Band started the event with traditional Christmas Carols. Two choirs performed, George Grenville Academy School Choir who sang classic songs from Away in a Manger to the Calypso Carol beautifully, and the wonderful Buckingham Voices whose harmonies and impromptu singalong to We Wish You a Merry Christmas closed the night.

The festive shopping trail was also a real hit, if you didn’t get a chance to pick up a trail map, please visit the Old Gaol or the Discover Buckingham website, and visit the twelve participating shops to find the hidden gifts. One correct entry will be drawn to win a fantastic prize of £100 to spend in a local shop.

Stalls for the Christmas Market included Good Times Café, Kerrie’s Bakes, LW Creations and FROGGS.

Councillor Robin Stuchbury, chair of Town Centre & Events committee said “I’d like to thank all the organisations who took part in the Christmas Light Switch On and the Town Council staff who supported the event on the evening. The Buckingham Town Council Town Centre and Events committee agree and budget for this event annually. Without this commitment, such events couldn't take place. My personal highlight was the visit of the two charming and friendly reindeer which seem to go down as planned, and extremely well with everyone in the community.”

Christmas Lights Switch On Programme

Posted on 24th November 2022 by communications

The Christmas Lights Switch On takes place from 6pm - 8pm in Buckingham town centre on Saturday 26th November. Pop by to meet real reindeer, visit the Buckingham Table Santa Van and the Festive Trail elf. There'll also be food and gifts from street food to creative crafts plus late-night shopping from shops in Cornwalls Meadow through to the Hidden Quarter!

On the stage next to the Old Gaol we'll have live music from local choirs and a brass band and a chance to sing along with classic Christmas carols. If you need access to the accessible seating area, please follow the signs to the front of the stage.

6:00 pm

Opening of the Christmas Lights Switch On by Town Crier, Russell Cross, and the Mayor of Buckingham, Cllr. Margaret Gateley

6:05 pm

Carols and Christmas songs by Great Horwood Silver Band

6:20 pm

Christmas Lights Switch On!

The Mayor of Buckingham will be joined by the Mayor's Christmas Card contest winners, Daisy Beckett and Harry Caswel,l to turn on the lights.

After the Lights are switched on the Mayor's Chaplain, Rev. Tim Edworthy will deliver a message of reflection

6:40 pm

Join us singing Christmas Carols accompanied by Great Horwood Silver Band

O Come All Ye Faithful

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem
Come and behold Him
Born the King of Angels

O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord!

God of God, Light of Light
Lo, He abhors not the Virgin's womb
Very God
Begotten, not created

O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord!

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God
All glory in the highest

O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord!

Good King Wenceslas

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
Gath'ring winter fuel

"Hither, page, and stand by me
If you know'st 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 food and bring me wine
Bring me pine logs hither
You and I will see him dine
When we bear him thither."
Page and monarch forth they went
Forth they went together
Through the rude wind's wild lament
And the bitter weather

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen
Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen
But do you recall...
The most famous reindeer of all?

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 (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

Ding! Dong! Merrily on High

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!
Gloria! Hosanna in excelsis!

E'en so here below, below
Let steeple bells be swungen
And i-o, i-o, i-o
By priest and people sungen

Gloria! Hosanna in excelsis!
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!
Gloria! Hosanna in excelsis!
Gloria! Hosanna in excelsis!

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy New Year

Glad tidings we bring
To you and your kin
Glad tidings for Christmas
And a happy New Year

Now bring us some figgy pudding
Now bring us some figgy pudding
Now bring us some figgy pudding
Now bring us some out here

Glad tidings we bring...

We won't go until we get some
We won't go until we get some
We won't go until we get some
So bring it out here

Glad tidings we bring...

We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a happy New Year

7:10 pm

George Grenville Academy School Choir will perform:
Once in Royal David's City
Starry Night
Calypso Carol
Away in a Manger
Mighty God
Unto Us a Child is Born

7:40 pm

Buckingham Voices will perform:
Silent night: please sing along with the final verse:
"Silent night, holy night
All is calm, and all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace"

Mary did you know
White Christmas
Fairy tail of New York
Let it be
Oh Holy night

Late Night Shopping

A number of shops remain open tonight up until 8pm for late night shopping including shops based in Buckingham’s Hidden Quarter and Cornwalls Meadow. Pop by to meet our friendly shop keepers, purchase presents, and warm up!

Buckingham Festive Trail

The Buckingham Festive Trail will run until December 15th to help support and promote local businesses and also to encourage residents to shop locally this Christmas. Complete the trail to be in with a chance of winning £100 (thanks to a kind donation from Buckingham Table) to spend in a shop of your choice. Pick up a free trail map from Buckingham Tourist Information Centre or find details at Discover Buckingham.

8:00 pm end of event.

Happy Christmas from Buckingham Town Council!

Santa’s Reindeer making a stop in Buckingham for Christmas Lights Switch On

Posted on 18th November 2022 by communications

Buckingham Town Centre will be stuffed full of totally free festive treats for the Christmas Lights Switch On, on Saturday 26^th November. For the first time ever this will include a visit from two live reindeer! Pop along to Market Hill, Buckingham, from 6 – 8pm to sing along to carols with the Great Horwood Silver Band, visit the reindeer and Buckingham Table’s Santa Van, hear performances from Buckingham Voices and Grenville School Choir. For fans of street food: Bandit Street Food, Good Times UK and Kerrie’s Bakes and Crafts will all be there to get your mouth watering.

Winners of the Mayors Christmas Card Competition will help the Mayor of Buckingham, Cllr. Margaret Gateley, turn on the Christmas Lights at around 6.20pm, so we recommend arriving early if you would like to be there for the switch on moment, as well as enjoying the festive shopping, activities and atmosphere.

Ahead of the switch on, families can have fun with an engaging activity to enjoy together, helping to highlight local businesses and what they have to offer. Visit our Saturday Steet Market to meet the Elf and pick up a Festive Trail Map and get exploring Buckingham’s streets by following the Festive Trail to find all twelve presents for Santa's list. Complete the trail to be in with a chance of winning £100 (thanks to a kind donation from Buckingham Table) to spend in a local shop this Christmas. For further details visit www.discoverbuckingham.uk.

Councillor Robin Stuchbury, Chair of the Town Centre and Events, committee said “Firstly, I’d like to thank the events committee for funding the Christmas lights on behalf of the Town Council, Buckinghamshire Council for the Christmas tree and the time put in by the events team to deliver a wide range of additional activities on the day, especially the reindeer which I’m looking forward to meeting, as I’m sure they’ll be of great interest to the children in the town including those young at heart.”

Buckingham Town Council is encouraging residents to attend the Christmas Lights Switch On event and enjoy the festivities on offer. A number of shops will remain open up until 8pm for late night shopping including shops based in Buckingham’s Hidden Quarter and Cornwalls Meadow. At the event itself there will be a stall selling handmade home furnishings from LW Creations, and of course our cafes, restaurants and takeaways will be on hand to serve you up some festive treats.

Buckingham’s Christmas tree, has been kindly provided by Buckinghamshire Council and has been installed outside the Old Gaol, ready for the lights to be turned on during the event.

Buckingham marks Remembrance Sunday with poignant parade and service

Posted on 14th November 2022 by admin

Buckingham gathered on Sunday 13th November to mark Remembrance Sunday with a parade and outdoor service at the War Memorial in the grounds of St Peter and St Paul’s Church, organised by the Buckingham branch of the Royal British Legion.

As the event attracts more than a thousand attendees, and there is limited space around the War Memorial, a screen was erected alongside St Peter and St Paul’s showing a live video feed of the service. This meant that everyone could have a good view and take part fully in the service. The screen was jointly funded by Buckingham Town Council and the Buckingham Royal British Legion.

As part of the service Rev. Will Pearson-Gee from St Peter and St Paul’s Church read out the names of every soldier listed on the war memorial, a poignant moment for the gathered crowds to hear.

Thank you to the Royal British Legion who organise this event each year alongside St Peter and St Paul's Church, and to everyone who came together to mark this day.

Councillor Robin Stuchbury, chair of Town Centre committee said: “it was wonderful that so many organisations, stewards, groups took part in the Remembrance Day, so many different people attended to commemorate those who laid down their lives in war. A large thank you must go out to all the stewards who operated the road closure and enabled the event to take place.”

Without volunteers, events like Remembrance Sunday couldn't go ahead. If anyone would like to be involved in supporting road closures in the future, please contact the Town Council office.

Spectacular Display Lights up Buckingham

Posted on 9th November 2022 by admin

Hundreds of people turned out on Saturday evening to enjoy Buckingham’s annual Bonfire and Firework display in Bourton Park, not at all perturbed by some rainy spells.

Hot food and drinks were on hand supplied by J & L Snacks, Tribal Chilli, Silverstone brewery and sweets, candy floss and toffee apples by David Side. FROGGS George Grenville PTA were there with reusable glow toys and tattoos.

Organised by Buckingham Town Council, the evening started at 6pm with an ambient LED performance by Cassia Chloe. This was followed by a spectacular firework display by Titanium Fireworks who have provided the display for the last 6 years.

Following the fireworks, a flaming torchlight parade led by Cllr Andy Mahi and Town Mayor Cllr Margaret Gateley lit the bonfire which had been made by pallets donated by ORN International. Cassia Chloe ended the evening with a magnificent fire display which left the crowd enthralled.

Cllr Robin Stuchbury, Chairman of the Town Centre & Events Committee had the following to say “I'd like to thank everyone who attended the event to ensure the public were able to have a good evening in a safe environment. We recognise how Important it is for the community to have a safe and free event which families can attend together within our community, especially this year with the cost of living in crisis and rising fuel costs affecting family budgets so significantly.”

Cllr. Stuchbury and Buckingham Town Council would like to thank all those that helped to make the event a success. 1653 Squadron Air Cadets who for many years have helped with the marshalling. ALR for providing first aid, Abbot Fire Group for the loan of the fire extinguishers, Paragon for supplying the lighting, Waitrose for the cardboard, Martin Try and Les for running the sound and music. Town Council Green Spaces team for building the bonfire and all of the advanced preparation and have work to make the event happen.

A special thanks go to Cllr Andy Mahi and the Buckingham Table who every year clear up the event area the following morning.