Bury St Edmunds cathedral in call for festive fair traders

Christmas festivities in and around Bury St Edmunds might be a little different this year, but one venue is hoping to add a little festive cheer to the season.

St Edmundsbury Cathedral is planning its own Christmas Fair this December – for one year only.

It is seeking traders to book space for the event on December 4 and 5, which it hopes will offer a balanced range of stallholders, including charities, artists and local businesses.

A cathedral spokeswoman said it decided to organise a Covid-secure event for the community after West Suffolk Council’s annual fayre was cancelled .

Sarah Friswell, cathedral PR, visits and volunteering manager, said: “We want it to be something positive for the community to enjoy.”

Stallholders are invited to apply for space ahead of the closing date on Wednesday.

For more information, go to https://stedscathedral.org/christmas-fair/

Meanwhile, the annual festive lights switch-on ceremony in Bury St Edmunds town centre has been cancelled, along with switch-on festivities in the arc shopping centre.

The event is organised by Business Improvement District Our Bury St Edmunds, which has said the lights will be illuminated on November 20 as planned, but without the traditional ceremony.

Christmas at Blackthorpe Barn is moving mostly online this year. Its Christmas shop, crafts and Santa’s grotto are all online, with only Rougham Estate Christmas trees available at the venue, from November 27-December 23.

For information, go to www.blackthorpebarn.com

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