Town Mayor to launch Stone’s giant Advent calendar

Stone’s Town Mayor Rob Kenney is to launch the town’s giant Advent calendar next Wednesday (December 1). Councillor Kenney will open the first window at Tim Tofts Violins, 7-9 Station Road, Stone, at midday.

In the build-up to Christmas 24 shops, businesses and organisations will each decorate their window on the theme of a carol and open it on a different day in December and the violin shop has chosen Hark the Herald Angels Sing as its theme.

It is a community project between businesses, schools and churches and has been organised by Christ Church member Pam Pam, who was inspired by similar projects in Welwyn Garden City and Brockley, London.

A different shop will open another window each day until Friday, December 24.

On Christmas Eve at 9.30am, there will be an unusual carol service when singers, musicians and shoppers will meet outside the Shelter Charity Shop on Lichfield Road and parade through town singing the appropriate carol outside each shop.

They will end up at Christ Church where the last window will be opened at 11am and there will be the chance to take part in a life-size crib scene followed by refreshments.

Children and adults will also have the chance to win a prize. Maps will be on offer throughout the town and in each shop, there will be a stamp with a date on which their window was opened. Children who collect all 24 stamps will receive a small gift at Christ Church on Christmas Eve and the first adult with 24 stamps will receive a free cut and blow dry at Shear Genius Hairdressers.

“This is a chance for the community to get involved and I am sure this fun event will attract people to the town,” said organiser Pam Pott.

For more details ring Pam and David Pott on 01785 286474 or email pam.pott@gmail.com

Press release issued by John Butterworth 01785 817465