Fabulous Family Friday at Winchester Guildhall

The Fabulous Family Friday event was held in the Bapsy Hall at Winchester Guildhall on Friday August 18. It had been due to be in Abbey Gardens but was moved inside because of the wet weather.

The event had circus skills and balloon modelling by Jamie Jigsaw, face painting from Snazzy Roo and crafts from Play to the Crowd.

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Winchester University journalism lecturer Joe Michalczuk attended with his daughter. Joe said: “It has been fantastic, it's great that the council put this on for local families.”

South Wonston resident Vikki Passee attended with her three-year-old daughter Pixie. 

Vikki said: “I think this is lovely that there are opportunities for families to come and enjoy themselves on a budget over the summer. It's so engaging for the children and I would love to see it continue.”

A Winchester City Council spokesman said: “Our Fabulous Family Friday events have been really popular and we’ve had some really positive responses from families in the district who have been able to benefit from the free activity days over the summer break. We have loved seeing so many happy children taking part. 

“The events themselves were part of our wider programme of support for residents who might be struggling with heightened living costs, giving families a chance to take part in exciting and engaging activities that don’t put a strain on household budgets.

“In addition to Fabulous Family Fridays, our Summer Munchies scheme is providing free lunches for children from low-income families until September 1, and we’re also running a series of health and wellbeing sessions for kids across the district between August 21 and 23 in partnership with ActiveMe 360.”