AFTER the success of their Christmas market last year, the family business Hurstbourne Forge is preparing for the market to return this month. 

On Saturday, November 26, the business is encouraging Andover craftsmen and women to display and sell their work at the market. 

As well as metal gifts, there will also be numerous handmade crafts on offer, mulled wine, mince pies, a new coffee truck business called Buzzin Beans, fire pits, chestnuts and seasonal music.

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Director Jack Swanborough: "Andover has a great and broad community of artists and crafters, but limited Christmas events catering solely for handmade crafts. As a family we really do love Christmas and the market is an ideal opportunity to encourage local shopping and to showcase not only Christmas gifts, but also some of the designs and projects the entire fabrication team have undertaken throughout the year."

Just like Jack, who started his journey as a teenager with the help of creative engineers, he explained that Hurstbourne Forge wants to encourage people and groups with their own projects to come in for advice, supplies and support for all things metal.

The business is also always happy to organise group tours and demonstrations in its workshop.

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The Christmas market will be from 2pm until 6pm at 4 Brunel Gate, West Portway SP10 3SL, where parking is available at both the front and rear of the showroom.

Hurstbourne Forge has also recently installed a new large press brake that enables them to fold and bend metal very accurately - suitable for small companies and hobby groups like model railway engineers, who often need small quantities of bent items and struggle with the wait times.