Month of festive fun

The festivities start in earnest on Sunday (Dec 2) when the Dickensian themed street markets returned, by popular demand.

They will be held on the four Sundays running up to Christmas to complement the town's shops in and around Bridge Street and Bolton Street.

The traditional Saturday Markets will also be in full flow, while East Lancashire Railway will be running Santa Specials throughout the weekends.

The attractions drawn up by organisations and individuals, supported by the Ramsbottom and Tottington Area Board' s town centres sub-group, are touted to be biggest and best yet.

The town's shops will be decked-out with decorative lights and small Christmas trees, with local businesses raising an impressive £2,700 to offset the cost, as well as donating a variety of prizes for the Victorian costume competition which will run each Sunday in December. The council has provided lights for the traditional Market Place Christmas tree and has put up the eye-catching Santa and reindeer tableaux on the Grant Arms.

Shopkeepers are also being encouraged to enter into the yuletide spirit by competing for the title of the best-decorated shop window. A silver trophy and meal for four at Ramsons restaurant is up for grabs for the winner, to be judged by the Mayor of Bury, Councillor Paul Nesbit, on Tuesday December 18.

Ramsbottom and Tottington Area Board chairman, Councillor Dorothy Gunther, said: "With the support of local businesses, the area co-ordinator, town centres manager and Bury Markets management, we have put together a package of events and entertainment that will add to the existing attractions of Ramsbottom and which will create a real Christmas spirit in the town."

Chairman of Ramsbottom and Tottington Business Forum, Mr Chris Johnson, added: "The terrific plans for Christmas 2001 in Ramsbottom totally vindicates the idea of partnership working between the public and private sectors and I am absolutely delighted with the progress we have made since the Area Board was launched. Christmas is obviously a vital time of year for local businesses, but the street markets and entertainment will also bring pleasure to residents and visitors. It will generate a genuine community spirit and give the town added vibrancy."

Festive timetable:

Sunday December 9: Tottington Brass Band playing. Ramsbottom Adult Education Centre open for taster sessions in languages, information technology, art, along with a Christmas stall, refreshments, raffle, tombola and Victorian rides. Ramsbottom and Shuttleworth WI in period costumes, puppet shows and jazz at the Grant Arms.

Sunday December 16: Tottington Brass Band playing in the town, carol singing at Ramsbottom Heritage Centre, Victorian rides, puppet shows and the world famous Britannia Coconutters Morris Men dancing around the streets.

Tuesday December 18: Judging of Shop Window Competition.

Sunday December 23: Tottington Brass Band playing around the town and Victorian rides.

On all four Sundays, Santa's Grotto will be open, together with St Paul's Church in the afternoons for refreshments.