"MUMMY it’s going to snow," my children shrieked, having heard only half a weather forecast.

I broke the news to them gently that while the east of the country was braced for snow drifts, Cirencester would be left untouched.

However, I confidently predicted that snow would fall on our little town at the Advent market, thanks to the usual snow machine.

And with that prediction I broke the first rule of good parenting - never get your children’s hopes up because the look on their faces when something doesn’t come off is heart breaking. Keep them in the dark about everything.

The lack of fake snow wasn’t the only thing missing from the night. Perhaps we do need someone with a bit of pazzaz and showbiz to take centre stage after all. I never thought I would find myself pining for Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen but please LLB come back – your new town needs you and your frock coat.

Yes, it was lovely that the focus was on children this year but we were left feeling that the sense of occasion had passed the entire town by.

And when the tasteful white lights went on, there was a sudden mass exodus as though people were waiting for the lights to show them the way home.

The truth is there was no reason for them to stay.

Perhaps what I really want is a lovely festive market and the chance to combine a few Christmas carols with a bit of Christmas shopping.

And what do my children want? The simple pleasure of dancing underneath fake snow.

As for my husband, he returned home with a glint in his eye and picked up his guitar. As he began to learn the chords for ‘Jingle Bells’, I realised what he wanted from the next Advent Market – the chance to get top billing on the stage.