A whole town that will go to the ball!
An ingenious plan devised by Tom Kerridge’s Pub in the Park Team and supported by Marlow Town Council, means that the town may be the only one in Britain where the majority of the community will still have the opportunity to meet up for Christmas.
The Marlow Christmas Drive In will host over 20 events in a unique week-long community lead festival. Donated to the town and operated by The Pub in The Park Festival team, the festival will feature a mix of carol concerts, nativity plays, school performances, Christmas lunches, fundraisers and an awards ceremony. With three events per day, each welcoming up to 400 people per event, The Marlow Christmas Drive In will allow the town to gather safely in a fully Covid-compliant manner and celebrate Christmas after an incredibly challenging year.
The innovative project is also being supported by Marlow FM who will broadcast the festival, Marlow Rugby Club who are generously donating the venue and My Marlow who are providing marketing support.
Organisations planning to join in the festivities and events include Sir William Borlase school, Danesfield School, All Saints Church, Marlow Churches Together, Marlow FM, Marlow Rugby Club, Meals From Marlow, Marlow Gospel Choir, Girl Guide’s Marlow District, The Rotary Club of Marlow Thames, The Marlow Town Chamber of Commerce & Trade, Marlow FM Hidden Gems, The Marlow Amateur Operatic Society and many more.
But more are welcome. There are still opportunities for more organisations to join in and stage their specific Christmas event in this most unique format at this most unusual of times.
Commenting on the plans Tom Kerridge said: “This has been a difficult year for everybody. Our festival business has worked all year to create new safe solutions for social events and to support our fabulous home-town. We are thrilled to offer all our brilliant community groups this chance to gather and celebrate safely and with joy.”
Mayor Richard Scott added: “Marlow Town Council is delighted to be able to support this exciting festival; with suitable activities in Covid tier 2 so limited, we are absolutely thrilled to be able to work with the Pub in The Park team to create this drive-in for the week leading up to Christmas. We look forward to welcoming all the organisations in the Town to share this week with us and enjoy the spirit of Christmas.”
Chris Hughes CEO of Pub in the Park and also a resident of Marlow said: “We have spent all year working out how to bring people together safely and this is very special project allows us to do this at such an important time of year. A brilliant programme of events is being created by lots of amazing people, but there is still time for more organisations to join us and be part of this ambitious and exciting programme. Please get in touch if you’d like to be involved.”
The festival will be working closely with the team at JamFest who have also cleverly invented a socially distanced festive event programme. Details at https://www.jamtheatre.co.uk/
Organisations wishing to take part should contact Jasmine Hill on: jasmineh@brandevents.co.uk
Anyone wishing to attend should look out for the official programme which will be published next Wednesday 9th December.
For more information please contact:
Media enquiries: Anjna Raheja: Brand Events AnjnaR@Brandevents.co.uk
Scheduling enquiries: Jasmine Hill: Brand Events JasmineH@brandevents.co.uk
Council enquiries: Hillary Martin Marlow Town Council hilarymartin@marlow-tc.gov.uk
