Oxfordshire: Henley’s living advent calendar’ wins Big Society award

A project which turns the town of Henley into an enormous living advent calendar is the latest winner of a Big Society Award.

Henley businesses, restaurants and schools have opened their doors to the public and offered their premises as venues for local performers each night in the run up to Christmas day.

The project is in its third successful year with the number of businesses involved having risen from 24 to over 100 since 2011.

The award, set up by prime minister David Cameron in 2010, recognises the project’s innovative collaboration between The Henley Partnership and Henley Town Council, bringing together hundreds of local businesses and local performers for the advent period.

Performances so far this year have included thirty-five Glee Club singers serenading an audience of nearly 300 locals in front of the town hall; an up-and-coming young Henley singer-songwriter performing Christmas songs on a pleasure boat; and a short film competition which gave local residents the chance to have their film shown in the local cinema.

At each performance audiences raise money for that year's selected charities, which for 2013 are Oceans Project, Henley Youth Centre, Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and Henley Regatta for the Disabled.

Cameron said: “Henley’s living advent calendar is a brilliantly unique embodiment of Christmas community spirit. The record number of organisations opening their doors this year is giving a platform to talented local performers, providing a welcome boost for Henley businesses and putting on a great show for everyone in the town.”

Julie Perigo, chair of Henley Living Advent Calendar and Henley Partnership, said: “Apart from the town enjoying the performances and feeling better connected – businesses are reporting increased footfall; PR and communications have been shared; valuable new relationships have been established; and work experience opportunities have been created in areas such as marketing, graphic design and social media.

“We always believed this model could easily be replicated in other market towns, and several – including Twyford, Windsor and Wokingham – have already taken up their own versions."

The aim of the Big Society awards is to acknowledge individuals and organisations across the UK that demonstrates the Big Society in their work or activities, and in so doing, galvanise others to follow.