Royal Wootton Bassett Countdown: Grab mementos of this special event (From Swindon Advertiser)

Royal Wootton Bassett Countdown: Grab mementos of this special event

6:30pm Tuesday 11th October 2011 in News By Scott D'Arcy

OFFICIAL memorabilia to mark Wootton Bassett becoming Royal is set to go on sale in the town this week.

The Wootton Bassett Chamber of Commerce is supplying the goods to mark the presentation of the Letters Patent due to be granted by Princess Anne this Sunday.

With the help of the town council in providing a copy of the new Royal Crest, members of the committee have sourced and ordered a range of items which are now being delivered to shops in the town ready for sale to the public.

Items on sale include fridge magnets, keyrings, mugs, pens, pencils, pin badges, tea towels, wrist bands and car window stickers.

Many of them depict the new coat of arms which will be officially unveiled and blessed by Canon Thomas Woodhouse during the event.

Retailers stocking the items include Dandelion, Guelder Rose, Church Croft, the Post Office, Brian Taylor Music, Town Hall Tea Rooms and Occasions.

The Chamber is selling items to retailers and other businesses at cost price, with a margin built-in for a donation towards the town’s war memorial fund.

Chamber president Suzanne Gore said: “We are proud to be involved in supplying the official memorabilia, and would like to thank the town council for entrusting us with such a significant and enjoyable project.

“We hope that local people and visitors to the town will enjoy the opportunity to purchase mementos to commemorate Wootton Bassett’s new Royal title.”

Juillet Hammer, who runs the Guelder Rose florists, will be opening on the day and also providing a personal bouquet for the Princess Royal.

She said: “We are going to be stocking the mugs and the keyrings and we will be open on the day.

“Everybody is getting excited now. We’ve dressed the window with a big crown, made out of general arts and crafts stuff, and some posters.

“We have got to do two big arrangements for the marquee and also a bouquet for Princess Anne, so it will be busy.”

Brian Taylor, who runs Brian Taylor Music, said: “We are pleased to be one of the stockists selling the memorabilia, which will go on sale at the weekend.”