Fleet Christmas Festivities 2006

Feedback

Positive                   (28)

A short note to congratulate you and your teams for putting together such a comprehensive and well balanced event with an encouraging number of shops open for the evening.   It was a pleasure to see so many people enjoying the activities, particularly the younger children on the rides and in the Ark's animal pens.  A most enjoyable evening.

Well Done            Best Wishes     John Himbury

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We came to the Fleet Christmas Festivities on Wednesday and thoroughly enjoyed it.  It was well organised and the fact that so many shops also took part was great (we partcicularly enjoyed our Lamb Biryani!)  Our children (aged 5 and 3) loved seeing Santa, Cruella de Vil and Scooby Doo again and again and the Miller's Ark animals were a real treat  We moved to Fleet in July from Surrey and we absolutely love the town  - the availabilty of parking spaces and location of car parks is so convenient when compared to Woking and there is a real community feel. There is rarely a need to shop anywhere else.

Keep it up!

Tracey Shrimpton

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Great event. Really enjoyed it. A few comments:

a. Wine and cakes that were distributed in the shpping centre excellent.
Keep this up. Really puts you in a good mood.
b. Free parking at shopping centre a real help; probably wouldn't have come
otherwise. Keep this up.
c. There pizzas being served/sold near the Oatsheaf great value - could we
ask them to have another stall near the middle of the high street?

Regards,
Pavinder Mehet

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Well done to all involved in a brilliantly organised evening, by far the most people I have seen in Fleet High Street in Years!

Tim Cockram

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Dear Kevin,

Just a short note on behalf of Raquel and myself to congratulate you and those working with you for a truly spectacular Christmas Lights Ceremony in Fleet.

We both really enjoyed it and met lots of old friends - one school pal of Raquel's even travelled from Oxford with her familiy to be there..

There were a lot more people there than I expected and even the weather was kind to us.

I thought the fireworks were a nice extra touch.

We rounded off the evening having dinner with Denis Gotel and his wife at El Castello and I gor Raquel back to Heathrow the following morning after what really was a flying visit - she was literally back in England for just 24 and a half hours.  We even managed a visit to Fleet cemetery to leave that lovely bouquet on her Mum's grave.

Regards

Denis.

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"It was a great night, with so much going on.  It seemed a lot bigger this year and seems to be becoming THE BIG EVENT of its type, in the area." Sally

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Dear Kevin

Thought Christmas festivities went really well - large crowds and the weather stayed bright and not too cold.

Regards

Chris Fisher

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I received an email from Jenny Radley asking for feedback on the Fleet Christmas festivities on Wed.
 
I or my family didnt go this year, however I've only heard positive things about it from the people I've spoken to who did.
They enjoyed the French market, stalls, the rides and above all, the great atmosphere.
 
Well done
 
Regards
Mark Killick

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I would like to congratulate the organisers and particularly Kevin Whibley for the Fleet Festivities on Wednesday.

We as a family thoroughly enjoyed the whole evening, and the fireworks were a great surprise and highlight.

Well done, it was fab to see Fleet so alive.

Karen McManus

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Hi,

We went to the festivities with our 4yr old. Thought it was the best one yet. Liked that there wasn’t as much continental market stuff and more local stalls. Liked the fireworks. Was glad not to come across the open ‘lorry’ where very loud music was playing (sounding old here!) – think it may have been down at the station end of the high street but didn’t get down that far. Liked that there was lots of different free balloons! Also good that some of the local eating places had stalls outside their premises. It seemed like a much more community spirited event this year, there was a really good mix of types of food to eat, stuff to buy and our boy sends in a big vote for the Millers Ark animals.

Congratulations on a really good night – can appreciate it must have been a huge amount of work but was well worth it!

In case you’re keeping track of where I heard about you, I got you mailing details from CCH (James Radley).

Looking forward to next year!

Irene

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I didn't make it up to the festivities.  I have a five month baby and the day just didn't go according to plan!

Hubby went up and spent a small fortune at the continental market though.  He was very impresse with the whole event. 

Kate Braddon

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Kevin,

In a word 'great'

We were 3 generations at Festivities and all had a great time.

Most of Fleet & Church Crookham (plus some outsiders!) must have been on the street at some time or other and didn't see a long face all evening.

The fireworks were spectacular, and owls and animals a massive hit with the little ones.

Congrats to all and what a blueprint for the future.

Presume we can find time for a wash-up on the detail at next Town Centre Mtg.

Regards Ted O'Toole

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Well done to everyone – organisers, retailers, traders the public and the animals!  All those involved did a fantastic job.  A great night.  The atmosphere was excellent, good fun too.  We are getting some super comments from customers who attended. 

Looking forward to a special annual ‘summer’ event now!

Ian

Ian Wilson

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Hi Kevin

Thank you and your team very much for all the hard work that must have gone into making last night the success it was, I have been involved in every turn on the lights held in fleet and I believe there was more people in the High Street last night then ever before, everyone was having a wonderful time, the atmosphere was amazing, i do hope someone managed to get an aerial view photo of the High Street at peak time.

I would like a contact address for the head of Hart council, you really must be the person to run this event in future, you made it a top class evening.

I will wait to hear from you.

Regards

   Bernice Wall

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Kevin

Just a quick note to say well done indeed on last night's festivities.  My wife and I spent a couple of hours down there and enjoyed the vast range of stalls and activities.  From the position faced at the start of October you and your team have done wonders - congratulations.

Best regards,

Tim

Tim Straker

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I  just have to respond to this......we almost didn't turn out last night having been disillusioned in the past by this event.

 It started out okay, but the last few years we felt had gone downhill! Mostly it has to be said because of youths throwing eggs and water bombs.

 However this year was a triumph........very enjoyable. Lots of stalls and entertainment, a very good atmosphere and we were so amazed, we were phoning friends to say 'come up to the town, it's great!'

So to all who were involved in this event a big thank you, you got it just right this year !

P.S still don't like the white lights..much prefer coloured, think they are more noticable and have more atmosphere.

Anne Greer and family

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It wasa lovely,hugely popular, family event.

Well done

Derek Redfern

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 Last night was really good.

My Children loved it the entertainers and animals really made the evening.

Tash and Chris

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Brilliant. Best year yet. Congratulations to everyone involved in the organising.

Gill Bye

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Dear Kevin,

Huge congratulations on last night!  You did a fantastic job of rescuing the event and making it a massive success - I've never seen so many people in the town - it was so crowded, it took my daughter and I nearly 15 miniutes to walk fro Gurkha Sq back to the shopping centre!

So on behalf of all those who won't bother, a big 'THAK YOU'

Yours,

Roy Woodham

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Just would like to say what a successful evening/afternoon it was. Fleet
became alive and seemed to cater for everyone. Thank you for all the effort
it entailed- it was worth it.
Tim and Lynda Fisher

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Hi Kevin,

Just a feed back from last night. It was great. Lovely to meet people from Fleet and the area and I must say you are all very lucky to have such a wonderful community spirit. It was a very impressive event and very enjoyable for all present. And special thanks to you and your team of marshallas who were very helpful and put up with panicking me.

THanks again and would love to come back.

With best wishes

Danusia "Your Gems"

(Danusha)

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Feedback on Wed 22.11.06

Very enjoyable, great variety of stalls, parking situation terrible (thankfully we can walk). Not sure if Fleet could cope with any more stall holders than the ones who where there.

Regards Kerstin Douglass

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Kevin and Maria

I attended last night 's Fleet Festivities with my family. I thought it was
a terrific event and my family had a great time.

I know how much effort you and other partners in the town put into it and
you are to be congratulated

I hope that the Council, Town Centre Group, Business Partnership and all
others with an interest in the town can sit don and agree the way forward
for town centre management

Best regards


Matthew Evans, Head of Planning Services

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Dear Kevin

I just wanted to congratulate you and your team on the excellent Festivities last night. There was a great atmosphere and people I spoke to thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The fireworks were a good touch as was the animal park and the owls. Thank you for all your efforts.

Best regards

Paul Doughty

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Thank you Kevin,

Very well done!

Fleet Festivities was a great success.

Thank you for the e-mail contact, I will make sure James picks it up.

Jenny Radley.

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Kevin / Philip

It was a pleasure to help out at such a well organised and successful event.

Congratulation to you all the rest of the people who helped organise the evening which was obviously enjoyed by many thousands of people.

Simon Ambler

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I have to say a huge thankyou to you all. I am the store manager from Boots and due to a huge workload this year was not able to take as prominent part in the festivities as I was hoping to. Kevin Whibley has been fantastic in getting support along with the rest of the partnership and it is a huge shame that we lost the case of the Fleet Business Partnership focus on the town management.
The evening was a huge success. I managed to get my partner to come along with his son and was amazed at the variety of stalls and of products. I now have a fridge full of French produce which is all fabulous. For my part my store is dead on the night but we open in support of the town and set up a stall in the Hart Centre to show some of our up to the minute Christmas products and to give out some free samples.
This is a fabulous night and is putting Fleet further and further on the map. Next year will be bigger and better and I will be backing it all the way.
Julie King
Store Manager, Boots the Chemist

Positive with constructive criticism            (9)

Hello,Thanks for putting on a super show last week.

Particularly enjoyed:Fireworks/Owls/Elvis/Organ/Indian food.

Not so good:Badly advertised before the event.nearly missed it altogether.

Also, a notice on the parking meters indicating free use of parks would of been good.

However, overall, it was a very welcome start to Christmas.

Peter Fennell.

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I helped with Traffic control at the Kings Rd and Fleet Road Junction. Unlike last year we did not have a police presence at the start of the Road closure Leaving this task to the marshals I felt was not very satisfactory. Some motorists were quite aggressive, especially one angry estate agent who clearly did not agree with the closure and inconvenience it caused him. After about half an hour we had the presence of a young constable who did a great job in helping to keep the traffic moving. 

The points I would make about Traffic control at this junction are:

1. A police presence should be at the junction at the time of the road closure.

2. The marshals at this junction should be issued with full high visibility jackets(with sleeves) not just tabards.

3. The left turn filter light from Kings Rd into Fleet Rd should be covered up. To many drivers still wanted to turn left out of Kings Rd.

4. A mail shot to all the residents in Stockton Ave, Birch Ave and Westminster and any other residents affected by the road closure, informing them of the arrangements for access on the evening of the Festivities would have been useful, as many had obviously not read the early information notices. A simple pass for these residents to put in the windscreen of their cars would have been a great help to the marshals.   

As for the Festival itself. I felt Fleet was really buzzing, it was great to see so much activity and market produce on sale. I was not prepared for such a good turnout and so did not take as much advantage of it as I would have liked. But next year!

I hope these comments help

Regards

Keith Parrott

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Hi
Great set-up and good atmosphere. After having spoken to a few adults, we
found that it would have been nice to go into the 'German' atmosphere of the
evening and maybe a stall selling alcoholic and non-alcoholic mulled wine
would have been nice.

 Good luck with organising next years' event.

 Cathy

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Yes, we enjoyed it, especially the French market and Rokes Farm animals

The stage PA could have been better - could not be heard away from the 

immediate front of stage.

Missed the giant mosaics produced by the Art Society, but understand 

there were some safety problems.  Suggest it be looked at thoroughly

before Dec 2007.

Austin Attewell

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Just to say, this year seemed better than ever....the fairground organ was, I think, my favourite entertainment.

Only problem I noticed, apart from difficulty in moving along Fleet Road between the stalls because of sheer numbers, was that the bins I saw were all overflowing.

Anyhow, great fun and congrats to all organisers and helpers,

Irene Bye

Burnside, Fleet

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I have just spent yesterday evening singing outside Iceland as part of the Christmas festivities in Fleet which was very enjoyable and the first time we have done this.  It seemed much busier than last year with lots more stalls, although some of them didn’t appear to be of a festive nature.  Perhaps something along the lines of the German Markets would work with Christmas decorations, high quality Christmas crafts and the like. 

If I have missed this, then I apologise, but you could ask a garden centre for sponsorship.

Having said all this, I don’t want to be too negative, so well done for organising it, there was a good atmosphere and it certainly attracted the crowds.

Yours sincerely

Vanessa Palmer

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Dear Kevin and everyone involved in the festivities,

Congratulations, what a fabulous evening. Although I have lived in Church Crookham for eleven years I am afraid to say that I have never attended this event. However, the atmosphere was great, the streets were full of people of all ages, there was a real buzz to the place. There were no problems at the end of Branksomewood Road where I was marshalling and all motorists whose sat navs brought them down the road en route to Sunbury or such like were polite and understanding.

My comments would be:

That's all.

All in all - a BRILLIANT evening - I am more than happy to hep again next year!

Regards

Gill Butler

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What a successsful event, congratulations to those involved in putting on
such good event.

Pleasures:

Wonderful, short firework display.

Walking through Gurhka Square, the youngsters were happpily enjoying the
late evening music.

A good cross section of the population attended, with young old disabled all
mixing well together helping to create a wonderful atmosphere.

Concerns:

The event is becoming a victim of its own success with so many people
crowding into the town centre.
More space is required to accommodate the growing numbers of visitors.

Why was the cafes in the Hart Centre shutting before 8.30?

Although wine tasting was provided in the Hart Centrewhere were the mince
pies?

Most people had just arrived home and decided to eat out - note full littter
bins, but how did non refreshments organisations fair?

Where were the Carol singers- I was aware the Baptist Church  was involved
in one group, but tucked away on the 1st floor where very few people may
have heard or seen them.  Another group were huddled together outside SNIPS
but were not easily heard above the hectic noise.  Dogmersfield school was a
3rd group providing music

More prominence should be given to Carol singers, with possible live
accompanists.

Keith Hatter

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Subject:  Fleet Christmas Festivities event  (Wednesday evening)

Yes, I enjoyed the evening. Especially the variety of market stalls, festive singing and there seemed to be plenty of ideas and events for the whole family.   It was lovely for the children to see animal display.  How often do you see a Reindeer.

The ability to shop at the smaller shops as opposed to the larger Asda and Tesco after work was appealing.

It certainly helps having the high street shut off. However, I did find the traffic a problem along the normal congested roads.  Monitoring the multi storey car park would be a good idea as tempers rose with those departing around the same time as those arriving.

Regards,

Ms T Rayner

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What event?           (4)

Dear People

I am sorry to say I missed the event, primarily because I was not aware it was this week!  I know it is usually at this time but somehow I have not noticed much publicity this year to remind us.  I believe the event is good for the town, providing parking is available for those of us needing this facility.

Hopefully it was a successful evening and I shall do my best to support any future event, which was particularly good last year.

Best wishes

Valerie Richfield

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When - on Wednesday, this week?

Where advertised?

I missed it!

Alan Fairweather

(I shop in Farnborough regularly, not in Fleet.)

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I am afraid I had no idea we were doing anything extraordinary at all.

So much for advertising?

There are too many other things going on and so it is important that the forthcoming events are targeted at more than kids.

I believe in the old type of real christmas (having spent one in Israel.)

Bill Shambrook

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The only feedback I have is that I didn't know that there was anything happening  in Fleet on Wednesday.  Maybe it could be advertised better next year like on local radio, email or by post.

Regards,

Dawn de-Leuw

Negative                 (3)

I have received an e-mail requesting comments on the Christmas festivities that happened on Wednesday.

I would have very much liked to join in the fun but due to the fact that fireworks were let off at the event i spent the whole evening trying to calm my totally terrified dogs.

Thanks for a great evening!

Regards

Paula Kent

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"Much preferred farmer's market rather than French. Too many stalls selling rubbish to the children - why do we need to make this a commercial exercise? Too much money made out of children at Christmas anyway. It was no pleasure at all wandering the high street when children wanted to buy something at every stall, made worse because Nick wanted to waste his birthday money...." Jacqui

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Good morning, I feel I must write to you regarding the Christmas market events in Fleet last night.  I have thoroughly enjoyed attending this event in previous years but I was extremely disappointed last night with the inclusion of fireworks.  I am assuming this was part of the event as it appeared to be an organised display but there is no mention of it on your website.

The use of fireworks in my view is anti social behaviour and we have just suffered 'Bonfire night' which extends to almost every evening for 3-4 weeks.  To celebrate a non event which amounts to nothing more than historical terrorism is one thing but then to have them launched on a random night for a christmas market is quite ridiculous.

I have a dog who is absolutely racked with fear at the sound of fireworks and I have had to have her partially drugged for the last month.  I only wish people could see how distressing this is to a lot of animals and that tighter controls to manage their use was introduced!

I hope others comment on this too and that you will duly consider excluding them from all your events in the future!

Rgds

Jo Dawson