WE may be just about as far as you can get in the calendar from Christmas…but the festive season in Helensburgh has been given a significant boost thanks to legions of food and drink fans who flocked to Colquhoun Square on Saturday and Sunday.
The regular Helensburgh Market in the Square event, run by Stall Hire Scotland, was extended from one day to two to help raise funds for the Helensburgh Festive Lighting Charitable Trust, the organisation which is responsible for the stunning displays of lights in the square and surrounding streets that bring a festive sparkle to the town every winter.
Alongside all the Market in the Square’s regular and occasional stallholders, including a fantastic array of food, drink, craft and gift vendors from Helensburgh and beyond, were street food vans, children's rides and cooking demonstrations – the latter given by Rohan Wadke, chef at Cameron House and past contestant on TV’s Masterchef: The Professionals, whose Parsi chicken cutlets and Thai chicken recipes had plenty of mouths watering.
And the success of the weekend - despite the distinctly December-esque weather that struck on day two - has persuaded the Trust to add food into the mix for their next fund-raising event later in the summer.
Vivien Dance from the Helensburgh Festive Lighting Charitable Trust said: “The Christmas Lights volunteers and Stall Hire Scotland were delighted with the success of their new joint venture, the Food and Drink fest at the weekend.
“Everyone was extremely complimentary about the various activities in the square and seemed to be having a great time enjoying the range of food on offer and watching the youngsters enjoy the House of Fun, bungees and rides in the tea cups.
“This was a good start to this year’s fund-raising for the lights. Thank you to all the generous people who handed over donations on the day and came along determined to just enjoy a lovely day out in Helensburgh.
“We chatted to visitors from far and near and reminded them of our next big fundraiser on July 27, Helensburgh’s very special Dog Show and Fun Day.
“Following the success of the food element this weekend we intend to add that into the mix for the Dog Show day. Again many thanks to all who supported us."
Before then, the regular Market in the Square returns to Helensburgh on the second and last Saturdays of every month, with the next one taking place on Saturday, June 8.
For more on the Trust's work, and to look back at the spectacular festive lighting displays of past years and get an idea of what the public's donations will help to fund later this year, check out facebook.com/helensburghfestive.
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