First Winter Wonderland brings delight to Andover residents

Taking place on Sunday, December 4, the very first Winter Wonderland saw stalls set up on Andover High Street and at Town Mills Riverside Park offering a range of activities and products involving food, drink and crafts.

Other attractions across the two sites included several rides such as merry-go-rounds and bungee trampolines, and two stages, one in front of the Guildhall and another in the Pocket Park which saw music performances.

The wonderland attracted a huge variety of people, many of whom called the event a big success.

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Malcolm Thorp said that he had really enjoyed the diversity of the wonderland, and expressed his hopes it would be repeated next year.

Malcolm Thorp (Image: Chris Atkinson)He continued: “It’s good for the community, good for the town centre.”

Sue Nias also enjoyed the wonderland, saying: “It’s good to see something in Andover.

“It’s nice to see some free things for the children, I thought some things were terribly expensive.”

Katherine Bird said that both she and her son Dexter had enjoyed the wonderland.

Katherine and Dexter Bird (Image: Chris Atkinson)She said: “I think it’s a great addition to Andover.

“I like the range of stores, I think it would have been nice to put them so you could access the shops a bit more; I think that’s obviously some feedback that’s been given elsewhere as well.”

Despite her critique of the wonderland, Katherine said that she would still like to see it make a return next year, adding: “I think something like this would be good to have.

“I think there are obviously other events that are already happening around Christmas, things like the Christmas lights switch-on, but I think the more events we that bring people into our fantastic town centre the better.”

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Residents were not the only ones enjoying the wonderland, with many stall holders also enjoying the wonderland.

Sam Lea, who was working on the Oh My Brownies stall, said “There’s loads of footfall, there’s load and loads of people here."

Sam Lea (Image: Chris Atkinson)She continued: “I can hear carols and there are people being jolly, so it’s quite nice!”

Vanessa Smart, who was serving mulled wine in front of Town Mills said that she hopes another Winter Wonderland takes place next year, saying: “We’d come back”.

Vanessa Smart (Image: Chris Atkinson)