News Article

Students from Wilmslow High School saved the day following the cancellation of a Christmas market in the town.

Excitement was followed by gloom when the plan for a festive market - the town’s first - was ditched.

But enterprising students at Wilmslow High School came to the rescue and roped in local traders to put on their own festive market which went down a treat.

They got together in double quick time taking just three weeks to plan the event which attracted more than 25 stalls and a stunning Santa’s grotto.

The sixth formers, part of school based events company, Generation, set to work when arrangements for a festive market run by Cheshire East Council and the business group collapsed.

Karl Taylor, 17, who heads up Generation set up under the Young Enterprise Scheme said: "A lot of people were upset when the market was cancelled and we thought it was bad for the town so we set to work organising our own."

"We wanted to put on something for families to come along to, enjoy the Christmassy atmoshere and do some shopping."

"It was a fantastic day, people were spending money and there was a steady flow of customers."

There were 25 stalls, selling gifts including bags, jewellery, crafts and cakes, refreshments, carols by the Wilmslow Grange Primary School choir and music by Poynton pianist Amy Pearso.

Karl’s grandad Kevin Downing, from Poynton, even stepped up to be Santa on the day.

Karl, who has just been picked as Wilmslow Lions’ candidate for Young Ambassador of the 21st Century, added: "We were so pleased with our Santa’s grotto, it went down a storm."

Teacher Julia McHarg, said: "Generation put an enormous amount of effort in."

Thank you to the Wilmslow Express for allowing us to use this article.