PLANS have been put in place to ensure the Christmas spirit doesn’t leave Broadstone after its parade was cancelled.

For more than 50 years, the Broadstone Christmas Parade has seen children in festive costumes making their way through the town led by Father Christmas.

The parade was cancelled this year after the retirement of some members of the committee and complications from Covid-19, but organisers of the Musical Markets wanted to make sure that the spirit of the event is not lost.

Cllr Vikki Slade, who set up Musical Markets, said: “We have held a series of musical markets to help bring shoppers back to Broadstone and the public asked us to create something similar for Christmas, so we have tried to capture the best bits of the parade and include it alongside the music and craft market already planned for Saturday, December 4 to coincide with small business Saturday.

“Community groups will also be running stalls to raise funds for their cause and add some fun and we are delighted to be working with St Johns Church where Santa will be running his grotto.”

Alongside the craft market and music, there will be a fancy-dress competition running along the ‘Toastrack’ with a small prize in each age group.

The competition will be open to children of all ages and there is also a pet category sponsored by the new dog groomers Barking Barbers which is opening this week.

The musical market starts at 10.30am with local singers and musicians and we are delighted that the incredible sodapops will return, and we have secured opera Singer Paul Michael for our finale at 2.30pm.