Overton lit up in style this weekend as the village staged its late-night shopping evening on Friday, followed by the Christmas Market on Saturday. Both events drew big crowds, warm smiles, and at least one moment of comedy timing.
Friday night’s shopping event ran like a charm thanks to organiser Alison Hood. Families filled the High Street, helped along by a vintage organ that played as if it had stepped out of a time capsule. The police and fire brigade popped by, a vintage coach from Mervyn’s Coaches parked up for photos, and the ice cream man braved the cold with cheer that deserved a medal.
Overton Radio’s Rob Francis roamed the street with a microphone and a snow machine that children treated like a new best friend. The Mayor, Colin Phillimore, took on the honour of switching on the Christmas lights. After two perfect rehearsals, the real moment came with a short delay that had nothing to do with Rob or the Mayor. The pause only made the eventual switch-on funnier, and brighter, when it finally happened.
Saturday brought the Christmas Market, which filled the village with food, music and enough festive atmosphere to power the lights without a plug. Rob Francis and Kevin Ridgeon provided the soundtrack, complete with the now-famous snow machine.
The stalls impressed everyone this year. The Old House at Home kept the village fed, Caviste offered mead and mulled wine that warmed people faster than central heating, Jo South displayed her artwork, Gaynor from the Village Refillery brought her plastic-free flair, the Guides and Brownies added colour and noise, Ruth Williams showed off her wired drawings, Sarah’s handmade jewellery caught the fairy lights and sparkled. Lordsfield Swimming Club joined the fun, and Father Christmas arrived with Rocky the Reindeer, who stayed well-behaved, against the odds.
Music drifted through every corner of the event. The churches choir, the Cocktail Choir, Overton Choral Society, Sharon East, and the Guides and Brownies all sang with gusto. Overton Radio even ran a Christmas boogie for the kids, which escalated into a full mini disco. Anyone who calls village life quiet has not been paying attention.
The day ended with a parade of 43 tractors, each decked out and cheered on by more than 500 people. The event raised an impressive £3,500 for the Farmers Community Network. Co-organiser Steve Richardson said the parade will return next year, even bigger and better.
Overton has started Christmas with community spirit, strong turnout and a healthy dose of joyful chaos. The holidays are in safe hands.
