Richard Stevens

As if Thursday wasn’t cold enough, yesterday was even colder. I spent the whole day from 7.30 a.m. to five o’clock in town and by the time I got back home I was frozen through. I went down to town at the Town Clerk’s request “to keep an eye on things” whilst Stone Traders Action Group (STAG) organised their traditional Christmas Saturday.

The Town Council had agreed to provide a tent and stage for the various choirs and groups and also provided marquees for the charity stalls. I was there just to make sure that all went smoothly from that point of view and also to ensure that no difficulties arose over the street closure orders in the High Street and Mill Street.

Just as well I was there! Brewers drays, charity shop deliverers, tent in the wrong place, marquees too close together, charity stallholders not knowing where to pitch (not my problem - we were not organising the event!), sorting out an electrical problem and acting as ‘policeman’ in Mill Street were just a few of the issues that needed sorting out. And sadly, the weather was so cold that the town was not as full as the organisers had hoped. This was a great shame. STAG have spent months organising the event. So much hard work and effort.

But those hardy souls who braved the cold obviously enjoyed the Combined Church choir, St. Michael’s First School choir, the Revelation choir, the Town Band and two Irish bands - the Blarney Stone and Murphy’s Marbles. A good day despite the temperature. Well done, everyone!