Horley traders unveil this year's St George's Day celebrations (From Redhill And Reigate Life)
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Horley traders unveil this year's St George's Day celebrations
1:36pm Monday 4th March 2013 in Local News
Horley's popular St George's Day celebrations will take place this year on Saturday, April 20.
The day organised by the Horley Association of Traders (HATs) will see the town centre the focus of a range of family fun activities and displays which will include fairground rides, street entertainment and stalls.
HATs has said the day “promises to be better than ever.”
Last year, record crowds swelled the celebrations.
HATs estimated more than 5,000 people enjoyed the fun in the High Street. The turn-out for the fifth event topped the 4,000 people who joined in the third annual day of parades, stalls and live entertainment in 2010. It was the first time the event had been organised by HATs, having in previous years been run by Horley and District Chamber of Commerce, which HATs is allied to. HATs chairman Andy Parr said he was “staggered.” Andy, who owns The Party Pad shop in High Street, said: “It was unbelievable. We had 2,000 programmes go in the first two hours.” Visitors from surrounding towns were joined by people from much further afield, including Newcastle and the USA.
This year's event will feature activities and attractions to suit all ages and tastes, including a bouncy castle, puppet show, face painting for children and a pie-eating competition.. HATs is also launching a colouring-in-competition, inviting children to colour in a picture of St George’s dragon. The dragon will be built and painted to look like the winner's dragon by carpenter and table-maker, James Baker, and will be paraded down the High Street on the big day by St George with the winner. The deadline for entries into the competition is Wednesday, April 3.
Event organiser Carol Summers of Horley-based mobile pottery painting company, Paint Pots Pals, said: “With only six weeks to go, everyone is pitching in to make this year’s day better than ever. “HATs is committed to giving something back to the community and making Horley a better place.”
She said: “We still need volunteers to help on the day so please get in touch. Refreshments and food will be provided.”
People interested in taking a stall (with limited space left) should call Carol Summers on 07968 158056, or email: carol@paintpotspals.co.uk To enter the colouring-in competition, email Kim Hewett at: kim@weloveaccounts.co.uk People who would like to volunteer should call Caroline Hancock on 07824 527 915, or email: Carolinehancock@hotmail.com HATs was formed by local traders who believe the best way towns can prosper in the current difficult market conditions is through retailers and businesses pulling together, pooling resources and ideas to the benefit of the local community. The association meets weekly to focus on how it can make Horley a centre of prosperity.
