Reindeers invade Ashton!

Festive fun comes to the town centre as Ashton Town Team launch Christmas trail.

Ashton town centre has been taken over by some very festive visitors this week, six of Father Christmas’s reindeers have slipped away from the North Pole and are now hiding in shop windows across the town.

The Ashton Town Team is calling on families, shoppers and Christmas sleuths to help track down the runaway reindeers, who have made themselves at home in businesses from Penny Meadow and Market Avenue all the way to Old Street. The Reindeer Trail forms part of this year’s packed programme of Christmas events, designed to bring festive cheer to the town and support local traders.

The celebrations continue this Saturday as Santa and his trusty Elf make a special appearance at Ashton Market Hall. Alongside the chance to meet Father Christmas, families can enjoy a festive craft session in the Market Hall seating area, where local maker Paul Pickford will help children design and create their own Christmas ornaments. Music will also fill the market, courtesy of talented teenager Jack Doyle, who impressed audiences at Bridge Fest in September. The event runs from 11am to 2pm, with an additional seasonal display from Audenshaw-based business Star Cutouts.

Councillor Bill Fairfoull, Chair of Ashton Town Team, encouraged everyone to get involved and explore the town centre.

“The Reindeer Trail has six reindeers in shop windows in the town centre, so follow the clues but most importantly, come and support our local traders and businesses in Ashton this Christmas,” he said.

The festive fun doesn’t stop there. On December 6th, visitors to the Market Hall can take part in a special Christmas edition of Play Your Cards Right, while the Town Team will be handing out Ashton-themed calendars in celebration of Small Business Saturday.

And on December 13th, the much-loved Mossley Ukulele Group will bring music and good cheer to the Market Hall as they perform to raise funds for Willow Wood Hospice, starting from 12.30pm.