Safety fears over strong winds forecast from Storm Arwen halt New Milton Christmas Festival's post-lockdown return

STORM Arwen forced the cancellation of New Milton Christmas Festival, returning after a two-year hiatus enforced by the Covid pandemic.

Organisers the Lions Club of New Milton announced last Friday the decision to call off Saturday’s event amid a yellow weather warning issued by the Met Office for strong winds of up to 50-55mph.

Dozens of stalls were set to have lined the length of Station Road and the adjacent stretch of Old Milton Road, with a main stage at Station Road’s junction with Ashley Road hosting a programme of entertainment.

There was also set to have been a circus-themed illuminated parade through the high street, culminating in the festive lights switch-on.

This would have been the first New Milton Christmas Festival since 2019 after social distancing rules and a month-long lockdown between November and December prevented last year’s from happening.

Last Friday’s announcement said: “The Lions Club of New Milton regrets that it has had to cancel the Christmas festival due to the high gusting winds forecasted.

“Foremost in our minds has to be the safety of our visitors, our stallholders, our performers and our volunteers. We are very sorry that we had to make such a decision.”

There were hopes over the weekend the event could be rearranged for Saturday 4th December.

However, Alan Watson, chairman of the Lions Club’s activities committee, told the A&T today (Monday) it was “virtually certain” this would now not happen.