People in Wigtown have come together this year to create a quirky community countdown to Christmas.
Every day from Friday 29th November until Christmas Eve there will be something on in the town for people to enjoy or take part in. The events are open to everyone and organisers are hoping the initiative will attract people from further afield to come to Wigtown to join in the festive fun.
The countdown kicks off this Friday with the switching on of the Christmas tree lights in the middle of the town featuring carol singing accompanied by the Creetown Silver Band and seasonal refreshments. From then on there is something to do or see or take part in every day until the 24h December.
Organisers are delighted with the way the town has responded to the idea which came out of a chat between bookseller Jayne Baldwin and newly elected community councillor Kathleen Hart. Jayne said: “We were talking about ways of trying to bring all the different aspects of the town together and I’d once organised an advent countdown amongst the booksellers but we decided to widen it and we’re just so excited with the way people have come on board.”
“It was all very last-minute but we’ve got businesses holding late night opening with mulled wine and music, special offers, festive workshops, quizzes and readings amongst a host of other things. People have come forward with really fun ideas,” Kathleen added.
Everyone from the butcher, the booksellers, the community shop, the parish church, Wigtown Rainbows, the town’s traders and many others have all offered to do something for the Christmas countdown during December. There are traditional celebrations through to an egg nativity and the chance to be given a humbug by bookseller Shaun Bythell. Further details will be available on posters around the town, information in the shops and on social media with the hashtag #wigtownchristmascountdown.
