Victorian Fair in Warwick on Thursday

ALL the fun of a Victorian fair will be offered in Warwick next Thursday (Nov 29) when a steam carousel, penny arcades and a line of can-can girls promise to brighten up the winter gloom.

The action starts in Market Place from 5pm onwards with the lights switched on at 7pm by the mayor, Cllr Elizabeth Higgins, in conjunction with Santa Claus and carnival queen Leah Jane Townsend.

Most shopkeepers in the town centre will compete to dress their windows in the best Victorian style and anyone turning up in period costume stands a chance of winning a voucher for a free meal for two at a local pub or restaurant.

Sue Butcher, chairman of the Chamber of Trade, and Peter Amis, a committee member of Warwick Lions, tried on their costumes last week in readiness for what promises to be an even more lavish event than usual.

Not least because round in Old Square some £10,000 is being spent on creating a winter wonderland in front of St Mary’s church with new Christmas lights and a snow machine.

The extra money came from the Government’s Mary Portas consolation bonus in recognition of all the inspirational work put in by members of the Town Centre Team even though they ended up losing the main £100,000 regeneration prize.

Sue said: “I’m told there will be can-can girls, a shadow puppet theatre, steel drums, St Mary’s Church Choir and a bit of pantomime from members of the Bridge House Theatre.

“Strolling through the streets should also be a delight with roasted chestnuts sold on the street corners and lots of traditional attractions like a helter skelter, steam carousel, barbershop choirs, brass bands and even ferret racing.

“The atmosphere is always really wonderful on the night when nearly all the shopkeepers dress up and remain open.”

To add to the regular retail outlets doing business there will also be 60 craft, charity and festive food stalls clustered around the historic streets containing a higher number of Victorian buildings than most other town centres in the region.

The event is organised with the support of not only Warwick Lions and Chamber of Trade but also the Rotary Club, BBC Coventry and Warwickshire and the town and district councils.

From 1pm until 10pm on the day road closures will be in place around Market Place, Old Square, New Street, Swan Street, Brook Street and Market Street to create a safer, family-friendly environment.

The only vehicular access will be for emergencies.