Major Christmas Celebrations in Bournemouth

A seasonal Christmas Market in Bournemouth is hoping to attract a record number of visitors this year. 

250,000 people walked through the market last year, with the figure expected to rise again as the council once again hire out the use of the Town Centre to an entertainment company, S & D Leisure.

There is set to be the annual German market, as well as an extension, which will house the new ‘Santa Land’ attraction, with rides and shows which appeal to younger visitors.

Anne Simpson, the PA to the managing director of the company hopes the new attraction will bring even more tourists to Bournemouth this Christmas. However, she is unsure how successful the market will be this year “We will have to wait and see, it’s up to the crowds now.”

Wrapped up warm- Sarah Chettle braves the November chill

Traders have also shown an increased interest to the market. “It’s a lot easier to do these events” said Sarah Chettle from Dorchester, who is one of the clothes traders in the market “it is slow to start off with, but gradually picks up as you get closer to Christmas.”

People visiting the market are impressed that the annual market is still going ahead.

“I enjoy the Buzz” Scott Purces, a Café worker from Ferndown said. Justin Kent, from Shaftsbury agrees, “It makes the town look more festive.”

It is still difficult for independent traders like Sarah, who are set to have to compete with the opening of the Primark store this month. “We’re in hard times, and everybody wants a bargain.”

Caroline Beavon: How I got my foot in the door

Caroline Beavon- who started out making tea after a philosophy degree- says good reporters need: "Balls of Steel".

Nine years after finishing her degree, she was presenting a regular programme, with former rock star Stuart Cable, on a national radio station.

This all began after “being a bit cheeky”, when she phoned up her local radio station, The Wolf, to request some work. Only the occupation of tea-maker was available and for 6 months, she worked for nothing.

This was destined to change when she was given her break as a reporter in 2000, on £10k a year, after the editor decided to leave. “You must be stupid if you become a journalist for the money” she joked, showing the sheer passion powering the radio industry.

Her career in news journalism lasted for 10 years, until moving to Kerrang! Radio, where she worked with Stuart Cable, the former drummer of the Stereophonics.

Caroline summed up a good reporter as someone “who has to have balls of steel” to the point of being almost like a salesperson. From her experience, if someone has suffered a tragedy, the reporter is the one with the job of convincing the interviewee to provide very personal and intimate details.

At Kerrang, trainees were regularly sent out to do vox-pops, just because it would take them out of their comfort zone, and get them talking to the public.

Now 35 years old, Caroline is doing an MA in Online Journalism and has her own blog, displaying her love for music.