EXCITEMENT is building in Blandford as plans for the town’s Yuletide Festival take shape.

Religious leaders and traders chiefs are working with the town council, schools, Rotarians, Lions, and dance groups to make the event on Friday December 15 the biggest festive event in the district.

The Rev Tim Storey, rector of Blandford Forum Parish Church, said the festival would put the town’s people at the centre of seasonal celebrations.

“This is a community effort, run by the community, for the community. They have a vision to bring people together to do something good for the town,” he said.

School children with lanterns led by the Band of the Royal Crops of Signals will parade through the town. Students from the Blandford School and the Studio B dance group will give street performances.

Mr Storey said this year’s Yuletide Festival would be an inclusive event in which religious celebration would co-exist with commercial activities.

“Yes, there will be an opportunity to spend money, but also an opportunity for a lantern parade, to sing carols, to come to services, and to enjoy fireworks,” he said.

“It’s very much a community building exercise.”

Trina Horrocks, chair of Blandford’s chamber of trade, said shopkeepers had decided at an early stage on traditional celebrations for the town.

“When we started planning in February we decided that it was important for us and for footfall in the town for it to be festive, fun, and for families,” she said.

“We want it to feel like a traditional Christmas in Blandford.”

Market stalls will fill the town, with a food market, French market, and the Anonymous Travelling Market all booked.

Blandford’s Christmas celebrations will begin two weeks before the Yuletide Festival on Friday December 3, in an event organised by Blandford Town Council.

A Santa’s grotto in the Corn Exchange at 6pm, followed by the lighting of the Market Place Christmas tree at 6.45pm and a civic carol service at the parish church.