The Best Guide for the Neston Area

Hundreds brave the cold for Neston's Christmas extravaganza

Hundreds of local residents came out on a very chilly Friday evening to enjoy a variety of festive entertainment in Neston.

The evening began with the annual Lantern Procession from the new Market Square to the Cross, organised by CAN Group.  Children had attended workshops during November to create their lanterns, and they and their families were led on the procession by the Mayor of Neston, Cllr David Clark and President of Neston Rotary Club, Paul Smith.

Roads around the Cross were closed for half an hour to allow for the crowds to gather to see the new Christmas lights being switched on by the Mayor.  This was followed by music from the Neston Kids Choir, directed by Paula Prytherch and featuring the vocal talents of a number of local children along with soloist Becky Hulley.

Santa made a dramatic appearance, emerging from a cloud of dry ice, before leading everyone back along Brook Street to the Market Square.

An evening of entertainment followed, featuring Red Voix (family musical group from Parkgate), St Winefride's School Choir, Wirral Theatre School, Woodfall Primary School Choir, the Signing Hands Choir from Ellesmere Port and Neston's Got Talent winner Debbie Jeffs.

Ice Sculpture outside the Parish Church.
Photo by Bernard Rose

There was also street entertainment, with a fire eater, a mad french cyclist and a magician, all adding to the buzz in the Square.

Rotary Club had set up Santa's sleigh, and children enjoyed meeting him and receiving small gifts (but only if they'd been good!)

Earlier on, another Santa arrived in the High Street - an ice sculpture outside the Parish Church, courtesy of Cheshire West and Chester Council.

All in all, a superb evening, and our grateful thanks go to:

• ch64inc Events Group
• Rotary Club of Neston
• CAN Group
• Neston Police
• Steve Martin from Cheshire West and Chester Council
• Frankie Denton, Danny Bladen and the rest of the technical crew
• Sainsbury's for providing welcome mulled wine and mince pies

and, of course, all the fabulous singers, dancers and entertainers for their wonderful performances.

Merry Christmas everyone!

All photos unless otherwise indicated are © Linda Pelling Photography. If you would like copies of any of the pictures, please contact Linda on 0151 353 0940 or by email.

Photo by Bernard Rose.

Photo by Bernard Rose

Photo by Bernard Rose

Photo by Bernard Rose

If you missed Santa on Friday, don't worry - he'll be out and about throughout the CH64 area over the next couple of weeks - see our feature here for details.

Proud to support

Report this article as inappropriate

Comments

Paul T

At 22:35 on 4th December 2010, Paul T commented:

What a brilliant night in Neston. Great to see so many people out in the town and something for all the family. It was bloody cold but all the acts were top notch. Big up to the people who put it on.

[Report this comment as inappropriate]

Baz

At 23:18 on 5th December 2010, Baz commented:

great stuff. Where is the whingers now then? LOL!

[Report this comment as inappropriate]

teresa l

At 23:28 on 7th December 2010, teresa l commented:

at last neston comes to life i now live in spain but bread and born in neston so pleased to see so much support wish could have been there looked wonderfull merry christmas all

[Report this comment as inappropriate]

CO Jones

At 18:59 on 6th January 2011, CO Jones commented:

It was great. Well done to all involved. I am an incomer to Neston and thought it was just what the town needed..Already looking forward to more of the same in the summer and next Christmas

Neston is on the up!

[Report this comment as inappropriate]

You need to log in before you can do that! It's only a quick registration process to join the AMA network and completely free.