Romford BID helping local families make Christmas memories.

Romford BID is pleased to announce that it has arranged for several festive attractions to take place within Romford Market this coming weekend 9^th and 10^th December for the local community to enjoy.

Richard Salisbury from Reforged Blacksmiths will be at Romford Market on 10^th December between 9.00am and 4.00pm creating forged metal work for purchase. Visitors can watch how he creates these pieces including spectacular sculptures and one-of-a-kind builds by mixing old blacksmithing techniques with modern day fabrication. He is also able to repair items that are brought to him on the day.

Romford BID has also arranged for an eclectic mix of Eastern European music to be played in the market on 10^th December 2022 to celebrate St. Nicolas Day. Opa Rosa, one of the UK’s most dynamic and virtuosic bands, will be playing live Balkan and Roma music in the market between 11.00am and 3.00pm and there is a special opportunity to try traditional Romanian and Polish food. There will also be Eastern European and Ukrainian Festive traditional crafts to enjoy for FREE. If that wasn’t special enough, St. Nicholas himself will be making a surprise visit for families to greet and have a picture alongside – ensuring lasting festive memories are made for visitors.

Harold Hill Craft will be bringing master glass maker, Jon Lewis, to Romford Market on 9^th and 10^thDecember between 11.00am and 3.00pm. For the last time this year, Jon and his team will be giving visitors the free opportunity to make their own commemorative glass stamp, which celebrates the wonderful 775 years Romford Market has been running. If you do not have time to make your own, you can buy a pre-made 775 plaque – with all money raised going towards Time FM’s ‘Give a Child a Christmas’ appeal, available at the glass making stall. There are two designs to choose from – one featuring a sheep which were the mainstay of the market many years ago.

Romford BID is especially proud to be working with Time FM and GBP Estates for Time FM’s ‘Give a Child a Christmas.’ This campaign is being supported by Romford businesses and enables Christmas presents to be given to those in need via charities such as Women’s Aid, Salvation Army, Peabody Trust, Havering Social Services, Queens and King George’s Hospitals and many others on Christmas Day.

The Romford BID is encouraging supporters of the appeal to donate via this Go Fund Me page rather than handing in presents at Time FM and GBP Estates (although these will still be accepted) by 10^thDecember. All the money raised will be spent in local Romford shops, many of whom have kindly agreed to offer discounts to Romford BID to purchase the toys and gifts needed.

Julie Frost Romford BID Director said, “We know people are feeling the pinch and Christmas can be a very expensive time for families – so we wanted to create something all local families can experience in the heart of Romford. The events are completely free and open to everyone to attend so invite your friends, colleagues and family and join in the festive fun.”

Julie continued, “Our ‘Give a Child a Christmas’ campaign is very special and heavily supported by Romford businesses and families. It makes a huge difference in the local community so we hope everyone can support it as much as possible again – in 2021 we raised an astonishing £11,250 as well as receiving enough physical gifts for 1,250 children in the local community so I would love to beat that figure if we can!”