Christmas came early to March market place when Neale Wade students rocked a festive style to join a carol singing event to promote the forthcoming Christmas market.

Christmas came early to March market place when Neale Wade students rocked a festive style to join a carol singing event to promote the forthcoming Christmas market.

Students joined March Mayor Andrew Pugh to promote the market which takes place on Sunday December 8 from 10 to 4.

At the event will be entertainment by local artists and a children’s winter wonderland.

The town centre will be closed to traffic so visitors can wander around safely, to take a look at almost 100 stalls and listen to a variety of performers.

Mike Chapman, markets and events manger for Fenland District Council, said: “We hope this inaugural Christmas market will have great community support, so it can become an annual event. I would urge residents to come along and enjoy the day.”

An entertainment stage will be erected in front of the war memorial, with speakers transferring the music along Broad Street and High Street.

The market runs from 10am-4pm and will be formally opened by the mayor Mr Pugh, at 11am at the war memorial.

Among the entertainers will be March Brass 2000, March Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society, a choir from Burrowmoor Primary School, and March Youth Theatre.

Also on stage will be Tom Harlock and Aimee Peart-Webb, Hereward Harmony barber shop singers from Peterborough, and popular teenage singer/songwriter Misty Jones.

Mr Chapman said: “We will also welcome a mystery band at 3pm, but we are keeping their identity under wraps.

“There will also be surprise entertainment from specialist photographers, who are unlike anything seen before.”

At March Town Hall, Santa will be in his grotto at the winter wonderland. Entry costs £2, and includes a number of children’s activities, including face painting and soft play.

A craft market in the Market Place will include 25 stalls and another 60 stalls will line Broad Street and High Street.

Any community group that wants to book a stall should call Fenland District Council on 01354 654321.

Katherine Nightingale, organiser of local community group 20Twenty Productions, is promising to play a full role in the market.

“We have been working with Neale-Wade Academy to deliver a social action and event programme which the young people have called MAD Moose Events,” she said.

“The group meet up on a Wednesday afternoon; their chosen social action project was this years Christmas Market in March. They have raised £400 towards decorating the Town Hall ready for the Winter Wonderland.

“A couple of the young people will become Santa’s Elves taking care of Santa’s grotto for the day whilst the others volunteer their time in other wonderland activities, including; face painting, Christmas glitter tattoos, hot chocolate and cookie station, Christmas crafts.

“The wonderland will be open 10.30am - 3.30pm on the day of the market: there is a £2.00 entry fee and all proceeds will go to Fenland Young Carers.

20Twenty Productions have also been involved in organising the entertainment of the Christmas Market:

10.30 March Brass 2000

11.00 Official opening of the market

11.30 March and District Amateur Operatic Society

12.15 March Youth Theatre present songs from Joseph

12.30 Burrowmoor School

12.45 March Youth Theatre Christmas Choir

1.00 Tom Harlock and Aimee Peart-Webb

1.30 Hereward Harmony, Barber Shop Singers

2.00 Misty Jones

3.00 Moon After Sundown