Santa beats big freeze
Reporter: Richard Hooton
Date published: 06 December 2010
Youngsters slip and slide to town centre to enjoy... artificial ice
A BIT of snow wasn’t going to stop Santa from opening his festive village in Oldham on time.
To the delight of children, Oldham’s High Street is now alive with the sounds and smells of Christmas, with ice rinks — using artificial ice — free entertainment and themed cabins hosting a variety of retailers.
The event’s artistic director Mark Llewellin said: “Other towns were forced to cancel their Christmas events this week but in Oldham we managed to get things sorted and opened bang on time.
“It’s a testament to the hard work and co-operation of council departments, the town centre manager, and all the private contractors involved in the project.
“Everyone worked long hours in freezing conditions to ensure things were ready on the day.”
The event is the third and final in this year’s Town Centre Partnership Christmas programme, which has already attracted over 15,000 people into the town centre.
Mr Llewellin said that as well as the ice rink, which uses artificial ice, there are cabins selling food, drink and Christmas gifts.
He added: “Everyone is there until December 19 and there’s free entertainment each day as well.
“The market is open every day. The ice rink is also open later on weekdays this year so that children can come after school.”
Next weekend will feature free face painting, balloon modelling, live music, lots of seasonal walkabout characters, the town crier and a vintage bus on Saturday and the Billy Bedlam Big Top band and appearances by Rudolph on Sunday.
Ice rink sessions last 25 minutes and cost £1.50.
