Ash Parish Council

The Ash Parish Council Christmas Fantasia 2008 was once again organised by the staff of Ash Parish Council. The Fantasia took place on Saturday 6th December 2008, at the Ash Centre. Councillor Nigel Manning, Chairman of the Parish Council officially opened the event at 2:00pm. The event was again supported by local charities and organisations.

Visitors enjoyed a variety of stalls and attractions including children’s games, tombolas, raffles and a cup and saucer fun fair ride.

Ash & District Museum Society had a special display of old photographs of Ash in bygone days, this proved to be very popular.

The staff of the Parish Council ran a tombola, whilst the Parish Councillors supplied and ran a cake stall. The event raised over £600 for local charities. Ash Parish Council would like to give a huge thank you to all the residents, local businesses and organisations who kindly donated the various prizes.

As the daylight wained, a large crowd gathered on Ash Wharf, where Councillor Nigel Manning, accompanied by the Salvation Army Band and the choirs of St. Peter’s and St. Mary's Churches led carol singing around the Christmas tree. A snow machine added to the festive atmosphere.

At around 5.00pm Father Christmas arrived by "Santa Express" to switch on the Christmas tree lights. During his journey from the sleigh to the tree he distributed sweets to the children that had gathered around the tree. He was accompanied a number of "Victorian" helpers and also by the Snowman.

After the light switching on ceremony every one was invited to return to the the Ash Centre for mince pies and mulled wine, kindly supplied by Mike Duffy from Budgens. The Mothers Union of St. Peter's church provided tea, coffee and buscuits throughout the afternoon.

Once again the Ash Christmas Fantasia was an enormous success and the Staff and Councillors of Ash Parish Council would like to say a special thank you to Party Pants for generously supplying all the fancy dress costumes free of charge.

Ash Parish Council would like to thank all the Stall Holders in the Ash Centre:

Ash Grange Childrens Centre
Ash Hill WI
Ash History Society
Ann Hanson
Beady Catz
Bells Piece Leonard Cheshire Homes
Beverlys
Budgens
Debbie McConnell
Debbie Robertshaw t/as Phoenix trading
Francis Mann
Penny Froud
Shawfield School
South West Thames Kidney Fund
The Forresters


Ash Parish Council would like to thank the following businesses and local organisations for kindly donating items to the various tombolas and raffles: