Despite the rising heat, last week, from June 15th, Hay-on-Wye transformed into a snowy paradise.

The butter market became Christmas central, with local bookshops such as Clock Tower Books setting up Christmas-themed window displays, with copies of my own Hay-on-Wye Christmas book, Look Up, Handsome, front and centre, I need to add.

The famous production company that came to town is known for its Christmas films, and now Hay is getting its moment. Unfortunately, the film is not for my own book - though if they wish to film a second in Hay, they know where I am.

Instead, this film centres on a bookshop in the town, with Green Ink Booksellers being used as the main shop front, and transformed into The Story Shoppe.

Like other locals, I was lucky enough to be part of the film as a supporting artist, or an extra. Filming took place from around 11:00 pm and didn’t finish until 2:30 am. The scene I took part in was of a staple piece moment in Christmas films: the switch-on of the lights on the Christmas tree!

As part of the scene, my role - which I took very seriously - included browsing the Christmas market, before coming to my spot to witness the actor announce to the crowd that the lights were about to be switched on.

We also had to re-do our scenes for the main actors to film their own scene, which led up to the light switch on.

It was a fantastic experience watching how these films, which I have watched so many of, are made. The production crew came kitted out with lights on rigs, snow machines, and Christmas tree aplenty. Santa was also there, elves in tow.

There are many details I can’t reveal yet, such as the title of the film or the contents of what was said during filming, but if you like your Christmas movies with romance, then you’re going to love this Hay set movie. I can only hope you get another one day!