A YEAR of work by West Somerset villagers will come to fruition with a brand new Christmas festival in early December.
Dunster Winter Festival takes place for the first time on Saturday and Sunday, December 7 and 8.
It replaces Dunster by Candlelight, which stopped last Christmas after nearly 40 years when long-serving committee members decided they could not continue.
Villagers came together to look for something else to attract visitors to Dunster at an otherwise quiet time of year for local businesses.
A committee was formed by traders and a new festival, named by villager Gaynor Gough, was agreed.
The village-wide festival will be held during the day, rather than the nighttime activities of the previous candlelight event.
Free events include a medieval re-enactment, music, children’s activities, and artisan craft demonstrations.
A torch-lit procession accompanied by the Wessex Medieval Alliance will take place on the Sunday afternoon from the Yarn Market to St George’s Church, where a concert will be given by the Medieval Baebes.
Santa’s Grotto will be housed in the Dunster National Park Centre all day on Saturday and Sunday, with face painting and children’s activities arranged by Home-Start West Somerset.
There will be a programme of musicians and choirs at the Yarn Market and throughout the village, including Dunster First School Choir.
An artisan village will be set up in the Tithe Barn yard demonstrating basket weaving, glassblowing, and jewellery making.
A longsword display will be in the entrance to Dunster Castle, with an encampment of living history and combat displays including archery at the Tithe Barn, where children’s battles will be staged with youngsters fighting knights in armour.
Spinning and weaving demonstrations by the Knit and Natter Group take place in Dunster Memorial Hall.
Dunster’s medieval streets will be decorated in natural foliage with the centrepiece being an impressive Christmas tree in High Street.
The festival has a number of ticketed events, which still have some availability, including a performance of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol by the popular Quantum Theatre on the Saturday in St George’s Church.
The concert by the Ivor Novella-winning artists Medieval Baebes is also ticketed, as are appointments up to 1.30 pm to see Santa in his grotto.
Festival committee chairman David Noad said: “I am proud of the variety of entertainment, activities, and events taking place during the Dunster Winter Festival.
“It is going to be a fantastic weekend that will raise much-needed funds for local charities and groups.
“We hope as many people as possible will come and support our first-ever winter festival.
“Please remember, the events take place during the daytime and there is no road closure.
“We expect the village to be busy, so consider public transport, walking, cycling, taxis, and car sharing where possible.”
Dunster’s independent shops will be open throughout, with many holding their own special events, such as a medieval lunch in Reeves Restaurant, a book launch of ‘Poppy the Ghost Hunter’ in Dunster Living, and meet Santa at Cobblestones.
More information can be found on the festival website.