ALTON’S Yuletide festivities are expected to attract thousands of visitors to the town this weekend (December 1-2) with the added attraction of free car parking in all EHDC pay and go car parks on both days and a special free Community Bus service for folk living at the eastern end of town on Sunday, to enable beleagured residents to attend the Yuletide Festival.

In addition, Alton Town Council and its sponsors are offering free ice skating in the Market Square on Saturday, from 11am-6pm, and Sunday, from 10am-4pm.

Sessions start on the hour and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. The ice rink can accommodate 50 skaters per session, and skate hire is provided along with penguin supports for younger children.

The Yuletide weekend will launch with Small Business Saturday, when High Street shops are encouraged to entice residents to “Shop Local” whilst being entertained with live music and performances from a stage outside The Swan in the High Street.

East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds will be in town to host a public meeting at Alton Maltings Centre, starting at 10.15am, to provide an opportunity to hear more about the Brexit withdrawal agreement and the UK’s future relationship with the EU.

In the afternoon the annual Home-Start WeyWater Santa Run will take place from 2pm-3.30pm with Santa’s Grotto, mulled wine and entertainment in the Market Square.

The races are suitable for all ages and abilities including the Santa Stroll, a Children’s and a Team race. Santa costumes and fancy dress encouraged. For more information and to register visit home-starthampshire.org.uk

At 3.15pm, Alton mayor Derek Gardner and Mr Hinds will hand out the Santa Run prizes from the High Street stage.

This will be followed by the YEM Theatre Group leading the audience in a ‘Carol Singing Procession’ up to the Assembly Rooms for the Switching On of the town’s Christmas Lights at 4pm.

The Christmas festivities will continue on Sunday with Alton’s annual Yuletide Festival which will see hundreds of stalls lining the High Street, Market Street, and Assembly Rooms, Rooms, alongside games and festive activities, street entertainment, fair rides, and food outlets, with Santa’s Grotto and Post Box being a feature at the same time of Alton Community Centre’s annual ‘Christmas Cracker’ Fair.

Drivers should note tthere will be road closures in force throughout the weekend in the High Street, from its junction with Church Street (Crown Hotel) to the junction with Lady Place car park entrance (White Horse) including Turk Street, Cross & Pillory Lane, Market Street and the Market Square. The listed roads will be closed on Saturday (December 1) from 9am-6pm and on Sunday (December 2) from 6am-7.30pm.

Sunday’s free Yuletide Community Bus service, organised by Eastbrooke and Wooteys Residents Association, will drop off and pick up in the Church Street Car Park and make a continuous (anticlockwise) loop, running approximately every 20 minutes from 11am-4pm using existing bus stops on Church Street, Normandy Street, Nursery Road, Edward Road, Geale’s Crescent (North), Anstey Lane (North), Jenner Way, Manor Road, Jenner Way, Wooteys Way, end of Gilbert White Way, Old Odiham Road and Church Street. The bus will be driven by volunteer driver, Paula Langley, and the last bus will leave town at 3.45pm.