WITH yuletide cheer just a twitch of Rudolph's red nose away, preparations for Petersfield's annual festivities are moving faster than Father Christmas' sleigh. The Square will be a hub of seasonal activity on Friday, December 7, with Santa Claus arriving early this year – but only if children can find him. A full programme of events will put the town in the mood for merriment, with Christmas festivities kicking off at 5pm – and this year there will be a special environmental message prompting participants to have a 'green' Christmas. Meanwhile, people are asked to gather at 6.30pm for the inaugural procession to help find Santa, which sets off from Barter Durgan car park in Lavant Street. They will be accompanied by a special guest, Petersfield's most famous Pompey football fan, John Westwood – complete with his jingling bell – as well as Liss Band and Rudolph, before a procession through the town to help find Santa and take him to The Square. In the meantime, festivities will be in full swing in The Square, with a busy Christmas market and a bulging entertainment programme to rival Santa's sack. Some 20 stalls from Petersfield and the surrounding area will offer mulled wine and mince pies, face painting, fancy dress clothes, beauty products, flowers, festive decorations, craft, turkeys, farm shop produce, and pet care. Entertainment will include a variety of dance, sketches and music, finishing with church choir carols and bells, hosted by Delta Radio DJs and featuring appearances by the Roc-It Dance Company, Liss Brass Band, Bullet Proof, St Peter's Church Choir, and Petersfield Cub and Scout Group. More than 20 prizes will be on offer in a raffle, including luxury Christmas hampers, dinner for two in local restaurants, and gift vouchers for local stores. Petersfield Scouts, which celebrates its 100th anniversary next year, is the charity chosen to benefit from the event. James Harrison, of Petersfield Scouts, said: "First Petersfield Scout Group is delighted to be chosen by the Association of Petersfield Businesses (the organisers) as their nominated charity. "The Scout Group is the middle of a two-year centenary celebration, firstly this year to celebrate 100 years of the Scout movement and, next year, 100 years of Scouting in Petersfield itself. In fact, the first leaders way back in 1908 were local business representatives from the town." Mr Harrison said the group offered Scouting to anyone aged six to 14 and actively supported events such as the Christmas festivities, the Round Table fireworks, and the senior citizens' Christmas tea party, alongside the traditional camps and other scout activities. Association of Petersfield Businesses Christmas committee chairman Guy Cheeseman said: "This event is all about the community that is Petersfield coming together and supporting each other. This is your town and we urge everyone to get involved. "Working in partnership with the 'Greening' campaign, our aim for this evening is fun for all the family while underpinning the campaign message and offering people practical ideas and advice as to how they can have a green Christmas." The organisers said the green theme captured the imagination of many businesses and community groups and would be reflected in some of the items available, including green candy floss and tinsel. Meanwhile, Neil Casson, of Energy Footprint Limited, has come up with five pieces of green festive advice for businesses. "My tips are all designed to improve energy efficiency and save money. They'd make a great Christmas present or set of New Year's resolutions for any business, large or small," said Neil. His top tips include making energy efficiency the responsibility of a specific person in any organisation, and setting thermostats so that heat is not supplied to raise the temperature above 19C. Neil also recommends switching off all electrical equipment when not in use, and reviewing green transport options. Terena Plowright, of the 'Greening' campaign, has devised festive green tips for the home, too, and residents should be on the lookout for a special campaign flyer coming through their doors.
