Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing has praised the parish council and local organisations in Theydon Bois for coming together to launch the festive season with a Christmas market.
Among the stallholders taking part in the event was Churches Together with its campaign 'Christmas starts with Christ'.  Eleanor said that "it was great to see so many people enjoying themselves and celebrating all that is good about the village.  "Stalls were set up by our local shops and by charities who all came together to have fun and to help others."

Meanwhile in Queens Road Buckhurst Hill, another Christmas Market ensured the festive season got off to a great start.  Eleanor was at the opening of the festive event organised by Buckhurst Hill Parish Council and Buckhurst Hill Residents’ Society.  As well as market stalls in the Queens Road car park, many businesses provided festive entertainment and refreshments while school choirs sang carols.
There was also a juggling elf, and a pony for children to visit outside Waitrose.  Eleanor thanked the "parish council and residents’ society for putting on such a great event which once again resulted in plenty of festive spirit in Buckhurst Hill!”  The event, officially opened by The Only Way Is Essex star Lydia Bright, also raised money for the Alzheimer's Society, the charity chosen by parish council chairman Aniket Patel as his charity for the year.

Congratulations to everyone involved in these and other markets elsewhere in Epping Forest!