Cold weather and warm atmosphere greet Santa, Elf and Reindeer at Christchurch Christmas Festival
Sunday, 05 December 2010
The cold winter weather did not stop thousands of people coming along to enjoy Christchurch Christmas Festival and the switch-on of the Christmas lights. Unlike other parts of the country, there was no snow to greet Father Christmas when he arrived in the High Street with six of his reindeer. Instead he was greeted by a warm atmosphere and a crowd of families eager to see him.
The lights switch-on, led by Jules and Warren Hayden from Heart FM and the Mayor of Christchurch, Cllr Nick Geary, went without a hitch and children were then able to go down to the Priory church to give their Christmas wish letters to Father Christmas and talk to him and his elf. They were also able to see his reindeer up close and pet them.
Throughout the day the stalls in the Christmas market had attracted people to stock up on Christmas gifts and the entertainment provided by Christchurch Community Partnership in the marquee in Saxon Square kept everyone in the right spirit. Christchurch Baptist Church in Bargates invited people to come in for a 'messy Christmas' and the Priory church held their Christmas fair throughout the afternoon and evening.
Paul Riley, Chairman of the Christmas Festival committee, said: “The weather was kind to us this year and, although it was very cold, there still a great atmosphere to greet Father Christmas and his six reindeer to the High Street for the switch-on of the lights. We're very grateful to all of the local businesses who sponsored the Christmas Festival or who provided prizes for the raffle and the treasure hunt for helping to make the Festival such a success.”
People now have a chance to take part in the Christmas Treasure Hunt for a chance to win some great prizes. All they have to do is collect an entry form from the Information Centre in the High Street or the Library and visit all the shops and businesses listed to find out what's on the Christmas posters in their windows. Then complete as much as they can of the entry form and return it to the Information Centre by 12 noon on Christmas Eve.
