GRAYS Town Park played host to its first Winter Wonderland event on Sunday (19 December) and while a number of planned stallholders were unable to attend because of covid concerns, the fledgling festive function has been hailed as the start of something special.

The park's new community cafe was open and there were still a number of stalls providing local services or selling goods and throughout the day music and a number of guest performers featured courtesy of Quest Music Services and Thames Delta Radio.

Among a steady stream of people visiting the park during the day was local ward councillor John kent who was upbeat about the future of the park and said he was sure the event would grow in coming years.

"It is slightly disappointing, but understandable in the circumstances that some people were not able to attend and on another day there would have been a lot more stall but what is important is that this is a start.

"The Orchards Community Forum, under the drive and leadership of Tina Holland, is doing amazing things and I fully expect in years to come this event will be a very popular one with lots of things to do. Everything has to start somewhere and that somewhere is here today. Well done to all concerned."