By HELEN COMPSON helen.compson@hexham-courant.co.uk

Published at 13:14, Thursday, 18 December 2008

THEIR names were Bergen and Trondheim. They were shy, demure even, but there was no doubt about it – they were the stars of Hexham’s Christmas market.

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People came from far and wide to see the reindeer, ensconced in the Abbey Grounds, said market organisers Hexham Community Partnership.

And they helped make the day the resounding success it was.

Hexham’s car parks were full, the shuttle bus was packed as it chugged up and down the hill to the town centre, and the cafes were overflowing.

Partnership officer Tamsin Beevor said: “Despite a cold, wet day, the turnout was amazing.

“We think the clinchers were the reindeer – people who would otherwise have stayed indoors came along to see them.

“Santa Claus himself, though, came a very close second. There was a queue all day waiting to see him in the Queen’s Hall.”

Over 70 stalls, groaning under the weight of seasonal food, drinks, arts, crafts and gifts, stretched out across the Market Place, Beaumont Street and the Abbey Grounds.

Members of Hexham Farmers’ Market were there too, while Hexham Abbey ran its own fair alongside.

“The hot food vendors, in particular, did a roaring trade,” said Mrs Beevor.

“There was a hog roast on one stall and that sold out almost immediately – they are going to have two spits next year.”

Organic burgers and freshly cooked doughnuts sold by the dozen, and members of Hexham Youth Initiative worked hard to meet the demand for steaming cups of hot chocolate.

Charity coffers were also boosted on the day, thanks to stalls raising money on behalf of Macmillan Cancer Support and the Tynedale branch of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.

The Christmas market was organised by a committee headed by volunteer Malcolm Eglin, better known for his antiques business based on Haugh Lane industrial estate.

He was delighted with the way it went on Saturday, and praised the hard work of all concerned.

Members of Tynedale Council’s environmental services department were in the Market Place by 3.30 that morning, putting up the stalls.

The town’s traffic wardens, Hexham Abbey and the Queen’s Hall had all helped with the arrangements, and financial support had been provided by Hexham Business Forum and Waitrose.

“Waitrose has been a good friend to many across Hexham since it arrived in the town – we are grateful for its backing,” said Mr Eglin.

Lorraine Walton, of Hexham Community Partnership, had been working on the event since March, he explained, and had come up with the idea for the reindeer.

“The town was packed, and the place had a real buzz about it,” added Mr Eglin. “The extra trade the market generated can only have benefited the town’s shops and cafes.”

Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk