Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens' first Christmas Market

The gardens were filled with festive cheer last weekend with the market, filled with local traders, offering a wide selection of food and unique gifts with the Mulled wine being the best seller.

Festive lights beautifully illuminated the gardens with a trail leading to Santa’s Grotto, with many of the trees sparkling with lights which took days to set up, test and install.

Sleigh - Volunteers and local businesses helped support the event (Image: Sharon Morgan) Local building contractor Conrad Yates generously built and supplied a Santa’s Sleigh and accompanying reindeers, which were artistically drawn and painted by local artist Mark Whitaker at no cost.

The event was a huge success, with Saturday’s Santa’s Grotto tickets selling out within an hour and local families queuing early, with hundreds waiting before the event even opened.

Market - The Gardens hopes to make the market an annual event (Image: Sharon Morgan) The Gardener’s Shed was transformed into a magical Santa’s Grotto by Sinead Yates, who collected furniture, ornaments and decorations so the space resembled Father Christmas’ cosy front room as the jolly red man himself greeted and mesmerised children.

Bocking Brass Band offered festive music from the Band Stand, and there were performances from choirs, The Busketeers, and Vocal Reflections.

Alan Payne, Chairman of the Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens, said: “It was great to see so many people from the local community enjoying the festive atmosphere at the Public Gardens.

Light - Musical performances continued the festive atmosphere (Image: Sharon Morgan) “The team put on an excellent event creating a welcome environment for all, with kids enjoying Santas Grotto and the rides, adults enjoying the stalls and the bar, and all enjoying the range of food.

“The Public Gardens are open all year round for the pleasure of the local community, so hopefully this popular event will have attracted people who will visit again, as the Public Gardens really are something special in the heart of Braintree.

“The Gardens are a valuable asset to the area and if you would like help support them please do get in touch.”

Joyful - A light trail lit up the trees in the gardens (Image: Sharon Morgan) Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens hopes to make the event a yearly Christmas tradition, as despite having no budget and relying on volunteers, the event was a testament to the community’s spirit and dedication.

The gardens are “extremely grateful” to CJ Yates Construction, Whitty’s Creative Art, Chinnery Carpets, Dulux Decorator Centre, B&Q Braintree, PGR Braintree, and Crown Hire.

To support the gardens, contact info@braintreeandbockinggardens.co.uk