The Best Guide for the Neston Area

Carol of the Bells Rings Out Over Neston - Video Now Added!

'Hark how the bells, sweet silver bells....'

Wow!  Photo by Rob Clive.

So goes the traditional, festive 'Carol of the Bells' - one of three songs performed by the 40 voices that made up Hip & Harmony's Adult Community Choir at The Cross to celebrate this year's Christmas lights switch-on.

Thousands gathered in the Town Centre, despite some fairly persistent rain, to enjoy the annual Lights 'n' Lanterns event.

Around 200 children took part in this year's Lantern Parade, setting off from the Market Square led by an angel (Mia), 'Mary' and 'Joseph' and a very welcome visitor in the shape of Guinness the donkey, brought to the event by Alwood Donkeys of Upton. Well done to Grace and Louis who played Mary and Joseph beautifully.

New this year also was a group of samba musicians who provided an exciting rhythm for the procession down the High Street.

Outside the Brown Horse a stage had been set up, where Rotary President Scirard Llancelyn-Green welcomed everyone, handing over to the Mayor of Neston, Cllr Tom Marlow, to switch on the town centre Christmas lights, to rousing applause.

After a warmly received performance by the Choir, Santa arrived to lead everyone back along to the Market Square where they were greeted by the welcome aroma of mulled wine and roasting chestnuts, courtesy of Elephant Coffee's stall in the specially set up 'Food Court.'  Alongside them were Cheshire Chutney Company offering pasties and soup, NC&YC's youth group selling home-made cakes and Rich Coffee offering hot beverages.  In Sainsbury's foyer there were tasters of seasonal food and drink.

On the Square itself, musical entertainment came in the shape of the fabulous Night and Day Swing Band and NE Singers.  The crowd got the chance to warm up when Fun for Little Feet led them in some dance routines, prompting much hilarity, particularly at the sight of people in santa hats bopping in 'Gangnam Style'!

A Grotto had been set up in one corner, thanks must go to Jess Blethyn and Claire Danks for its design and delivery.  Neston Rotary Club's Santa took up residence and greeted hundreds of children during the evening, alongside the Nativity Scene featuring Grace, Louis and Mia.

The evening's finest moment came with the arrival of over 100 local children - the school choirs from Neston Primary, Parkgate Primary, St Winefride's RC Primary and Woodfall Primary.  Their tear-jerkingly festive performance of Ding Rocking Around the Christmas Tree, Dong Merrily on High and Winter Wonderland ensured everyone left feeling suitably 'Christmassy'.

Photo by Brian Gill.

Neston Christmas Lights 'n' Lanterns is organised by the CH64 Events Group, led by CAN Group.  All the stewards are volunteers, without whom the event could not take place.  The event is financed by a grant from Neston Town Council.

One tiny negative on the night was the arrival of several uninvited guests in the form of street sellers, peddling glow-in-the-dark toys at inflated prices.  Apparently the police could not move them along.  They were asked to donate towards the event, but at time of writing I am unaware of them having done so.  

A special thank you to Rightway and Gordale for supplying materials for the lanterns and to MCs Roy Wilson and David Clark for keeping everyone informed on the night.

All the organisers would like to thank everyone for supporting this and other community events throughout the year, and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Click here for a video of the event, created by Kiran Fulton.

Photo Gallery

Our very grateful thanks to photographers Linda Pelling, Bernard Rose, Rob Clive, David Sejrup and Brian Gill.  Please note that the pictures remain the property of the photographers.

© Linda Pelling

© Linda Pelling

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© Bernard Rose

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© Rob Clive

© David Sejrup

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© Carrie Spacey

© Brian Gill

© Bernard Rose

© Linda Pelling

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© David Sejrup

© Bernard Rose

© Linda Pelling

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© Carrie Spacey

© Rob Clive

© David Sejrup

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© Carrie Spacey

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© David Sejrup

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© Linda Pelling

See also:

Best of Neston (previous Christmas events, Ladies Day, Big Lunch and much more).

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Comments

Rob Ward

At 15:32 on 7th December 2013, Rob Ward commented:

Well done all the organisers, lantern-makers, performers and MCs. Nestonians came in numbers despite the drizzle.
A good time was had by all, especially the children.
It's feeling like Christmas!

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cangroup

At 22:46 on 7th December 2013, cangroup commented:

Hope everyone had a great time at this year's Neston Lights n Lanterns in spite of the rain. What an amazing amount of work goes into organising the event, and how hard the stewards work on the night is a real testimony to the community spirit in Neston. Well done all the volunteers, with special mention to Jess Blythyn, Claire Danks, and Rose Pandzioch who really pulled out all the stops in the last few days run up to yesterday to create a great grotto and nativity scene for Santa and Guinness the donkey! Also thanks to Linda Pelling, David Sejrup, Bernard Rose and others for taking such gorgeous pictures in the rain. David's already got a great little film of the night on Youtube, and Kiran Fulton, who made the wonderful Ladies Day and Big Lunch films for CAN, will be producing another great film of the night soon too. AmA will have a link as soon as it's ready.
Thanks Carrie for a great article on the event. Here's to next year's Lights n Lanterns!

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Rob Ward

At 23:24 on 22nd December 2013, Rob Ward commented:

Thank you Kiron for a brilliant video. It brought back all the fun of Lights 'n' Lanterns 2013 (without the rain).

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