By Saul Cooke-Black

MOMENTUM is picking up for this year’s Stroud Goodwill Evening.

Pupils from five schools across the district have been busy making space themed lanterns for the event on Friday, December 4.

The lanterns will be carried on a lighted procession through Stroud as one of the highlights of the evening of festivities.

It will start at the Sub Rooms and wind its way around the town, along King Street, up the High Street, through Cornhill and back to the Sub Rooms.

“Pupils have been coming up with all sorts of ideas for the space theme,” said Lis Parker, one of the organisers.

“It’s one of those themes that allows children to be really imaginative.

“We would love to see all the community come together for what is always one of the highlights of the festive season in Stroud.”

Lantern making sessions are being held at a pop up shop in the empty former Eclipse store in King Street, Stroud from 4pm to 6pm this week and next week until Friday, December 4.

There will be a full day workshop from 11am to 5pm this Saturday.

It promises to be an evening full of festive fun.

Shops will also be open to show off their Christmas ranges and there will be gift markets at the Sub Rooms and the Shambles as well as the Christmas Artisan Gift Fayre at the Cornhill Market Square.

Children can come along and perform in a workshop held by The Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts in the Merrywalks Centre.

There will also be a chance to make a wreath, roll candles and make fur cone hedgehogs at the Stroud Valleys Project shop in Threadneedle Street.

Father Christmas will join crowds at the Sub Rooms forecourt in a countdown to 6pm, marking the start of the evening’s music at the forecourt and at Mr Twitchett’s Bar.

At the Cornhill, Tritette will be performing and there will be buskers all over town.

John Connely’s Fairground will be holding a family fair in Fawkes Place with two roundabouts in Kendrick Street whilst at St Laurence Church the Christmas Tree Festival will be taking place.

Organisers are calling for any musicians and entertainers who would like to take part in the event on Friday, December 4 to come forward.

There are also still spaces at the charity market in the Merrywalks precinct and some of the other markets.

Contact Gerb at markets@fresh-n-local.co.uk or call 01453 758060.

Volunteer stewards and lantern carriers are needed for the procession.

Contact Lis on 07754059768.

Find out more by visiting the Stroud Goodwill Evening Facebook page at facebook.com/StroudGoodwillEvening which will carry all the news.