Press Notice 12th December 2022
A CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION IN CIRENCESTER PARK
Supported by
Festive family fun in Cirencester Park on Thursday 22ndDecember 2022, in support of local community groups and raising funds for Gloucestershire-based charities.
With a programme that includes a morning dog walk and treasure hunt, a jolly hello from Father Christmas, singing from Cirencester-based theatre group The Phoenix Revue and an afternoon of carols from local choirs Siren Sisters and The Cirencester Male Voice Choir, there is something for everyone to enjoy. We hope you can join in this fun day of fundraising for Gloucestershire-based charities while keeping warm with a mulled wine or hot chocolate from Beano!
About the day
In the morning, after a jolly welcome from Father Christmas accompanied by Lord and Lady Apsley, the cast from The Phoenix Revue's ‘Jack and the Beanstalk' will get the get everyone in the spirit of Christmas with a performance of festive tunes including ‘Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer' and ‘Let It Go' from Disney's Frozen.
At 10.15 am there is a Santa Paws Dog Walk and children's treasure hunt, organised by the local Cirencester Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, from the Beano to the top of The Broad Avenue, looping back through some of the most scenic parts of the Park. (Duration approximately 1.5 hour; dogs must be kept on leads.)
There will be signs and clues for families to follow throughout the walk. On return to Beano, there will be treats for children and furry friends supplied by the charity Aim Up, with prizes for the winners of the treasure hunt. There will also be the chance to meet Guide Dogs and some puppies! Don't miss out on cuddles!
At 2.30pm Father Christmas returns. After a welcome from The Earl and Countess Bathurst, Cirencester Male Voice Choir and Siren Sisters will perform a host of well-loved carols and festive tunes - everyone is welcome to join in and song sheets will be provided.
Lady Bathurst's charity the National Federation for Retired Service Animals will be on site all afternoon selling gorgeous goodies, with all funds raised going to the charity to support its important work.
Cecily Hill Gates into Cirencester Park - image by Ian Lloyd Graham
Summary of timings:
09.30Registration for Santa Paws Dog Walk opens.
10.00 A Festive Welcome with Father Christmas and songs with The Phoenix Revue.
10.15Walk and treasure hunt begins!
c. 12.30Morning activities come to an end.
14.30A Festive Welcome with Father Christmas.
14.45Christmas Carols with Siren Sisters and Cirencester Male Voice Choir.
16.00Ends
Funds will be raised throughout the day to support the following Gloucestershire-based charities:
The NFRSA - The National Foundation for Retired Service Animals helps support dogs and horses from the police, fire, prison and border force in their twilight years.
The Cirencester Male Voice Choir - a fun social and highly talented choir that sing and perform concerts to raise money for charity.
Cirencester Guide Dogs for the Blind - the local fundraising group for guide dogs, who run events and initiatives all year round to support this national charity.
Aim Up - a Cheltenham based charity set up to enable adults with disabilities, complex needs, behaviours that challenge and mental health conditions, to live the life they want, regardless of their disability.
The event is supported by The Steadings, Cirencester - a new development where placemaking and community are a priority.
All media enquires please email mediaenquiries@bathurstestate.co.uk
- Ends -
NOTES TO EDITORS:
About the NFRSA [insert website] - "The National Foundation for Retired Service Animals helps support dogs and horses from the police, fire, prison and border force in their twilight years. When an operational animal reaches the end of its career the financial support it received from its governing body stops and unfortunately insurance is almost impossible to obtain. As age advances, vets bills are inevitable, and without insurance they can be a challenge. The NFRSA is there to step in and help pay those medical costs, as it believes passionately that after dedicating the majority of their lives to keeping us, the public, safe we should return their dedication by taking care of them in their retirement, keeping them safe and above all, healthy. Please join us in ‘protecting our protectors'." - The Countess Bathurst, Founder. https://www.nfrsa.org.uk/
About Aim Up - A Cheltenham based charity set up to enable adults with disabilities, complex needs, behaviours that challenge and mental health conditions, to live the life they want, regardless of their disability. Originally called St Vincent's and St George's Association, a merger in 2009 between St George's, established in 1885 and St Vincent's in 1952, the charity today is the only charity in Gloucestershire that helps disabled and mentally disabled people live independently. In 2022, the Senior Team and Board of Trustees worked together, and announced a change of name, to Aim Up, to reflect the future work of the charity. https://aimup.co.uk/
Guide Dogs for the Blind has been around for 91 years. The local Cirencester group raises funds to support the local guide dog owners and pups in training. https://www.facebook.com/cirenGDBA/
The Phoenix Revue company, established over 30 years ago are performing Jack and The Beanstalk at the Bingham Hall from 24th - 26th March 2023. We are a local company offering the opportunity to over 60 local people inc. 30 children to be involved in a top-class FUN production in their hometown of Cirencester. We are excited to be joining the Bathurst Estate festivities on 22nd December with some of our cast, singing some seasonal favourites. Tickets to Jack and The Beanstalk Panto are available here, with an early bird discount: www.ticketsource.co.uk/thephoenixrevuecompanyhttps://www.facebook.com/PhoenixRevue/
The Steadings, Cirencester
The Steadings, Cirencester will be a new mixed-use neighbourhood of 2,350 sensitively designed homes for everybody at all stages of life. With 700 affordable homes and three employment areas, extensive woodlands and parklands linked by foot- and cycle paths as well as a range of community, sports and health facilities at its heart, The Steadings will offer the ideal place to live, work and enjoy the vibrant town of Cirencester. https://thesteadingscirencester.co.uk/
