Following the outstanding success of the 2021 Christchurch Living Advent Calendar, which raised nearly £20,000 for local charities, the novel Christmas celebration is set to return to Christchurch this December.
The event is run and organised by Christchurch Rotary in Dorset, on the south coast of England.
During the event, the town celebrates the countdown to Christmas by showcasing 24 different local talents at 24 pop-up venues in the town whilst supporting 24 different regional charities.
Each evening will be sponsored by a local business or organisation, and all administrative expenses are covered by the Primrose Trust fund.
These could be choirs, singers, bands, dance troupes, individual musicians, or theatrical groups.”
The Launch event on 26 October 2022 was generously sponsored by the Kings Arms Hotel and was enjoyed by a star-studded list of local dignitaries and representatives of the organisations involved.
The Harbour Hotels Group made guests welcome in the lovely Priory Suite in the Kings Arms, where Christchurch Rotary President Vince Banks introduced the Chair of the organising team, Rtn. Jan Banks.
Jan outlined the origins of the Living Advent Calendar concept and summarised the great success of the first event in 2021.
Rtn. Mike Wood then spoke about the 24 charities set to benefit from the event, and Rtn. Richard Reader explained the associated public relations activities.
Cllr Mrs Avril Coulton, the Mayor of Christchurch, commented on the fabulous performances that had brought so much joy last year.
She congratulated the Rotary Club and all the associated volunteers and organisations on the hard work involved in setting up this complex event and pledged continuing support from the Town Council.
The Launch Event ended with a lively performance of songs from local singer Susie Kimber, which gave a wonderful foretaste of the entertainment that the event will bring to Christchurch.
Originally a concept created over fifteen years ago in Stockholm Sweden, Christchurch’s pop-up living advent calendar will run daily from Thursday 1st to Friday 24th December.
The event is run and organised by Christchurch Rotary in Dorset, on the south coast of England.”
Each evening at 6.15 pm a different ‘door’ or ‘window’ at a town centre venue will be opened to reveal a 30-minute performance.
These could be choirs, singers, bands, dance troupes, individual musicians, or theatrical groups.
The venues and supported charities will be advertised to the community in advance via the website, the programme brochure, and social media: but the performers will not be revealed until each door or window opens.
There will be a special Christmas Eve closing event on 24th December in Saxon Square at the earlier time of 2.00 pm.
For more information, follow Christchurch’s festive advent elves on social media:
Instagram and Facebook: Christchurch_living_advent Alternatively, Email.
