Photos Carl Hudson
Families turned out for Christmas fun in Birchington today (December 8).
The event in Station Road and Station Approach was opened by the Viper Corps of Drums. It included a market with stalls selling a variety of goods, along with street food, cakes and savouries and a huge array of gifts.
Live entertainment included Moments Duo at The Square and gypsy jazz inspired guitarist Thomas Abrahams in the Seaview Hotel.
Popular children’s entertainer Reg. E. Mental amused the younger ones, along with choirs, dance groups and excerpts from A1 theatre group’s production of Cinderella.
There was a Santa’s grotto on Dog Acre and a children’s Christmas storytelling tent as well as supervised craft workshops for the children.
The winners of the children’s art competition to “Light up Birchington”, Caitlin Osman and James Kidman took centre stage when they performed the official lights switch on just before 4pm. This was followed by the Churches Together carol service, accompanied by Birchington’s Silver Band.
A spokesperson for the organisers said: “The organisers of the event were thrilled with the huge amount of people who attended and have received overwhelmingly positive reviews of the whole day. Apart from having to battle with rather wet and windy conditions whilst setting up from the early hours of Sunday morning, things calmed down just before the event started and even the sun made an appearance to add to the enjoyment of the day.”
The torchlight procession was cancelled following an emergency services response to a stabbing in Crescent Road, where there is an ongoing investigation.
The incident was at a property in the road and not connected to the Christmas event.
Birchington Christmas event raffle winners will be notified by phone and prizes delivered locally.
1st Prize – Barrow full of Booze. Ticket 1076 S. Harrison
2nd Prize – Mandi’s Deli Hamper. Ticket 0081 K Everest
3rd Prize – Co-OP Hamper. Ticket 1453 Janine
4th Prize – Autographed KCC Cricket Bat. Ticket 1445 P. Mulder
5th Prize – Quex Barn Hamper. Ticket 0325. C Swan
6th Prize – Fortnams Hamper Ticket 1090. Glenys
7th Prize – Meal for 2 at Powell Arms. Ticket 0782. Les
8th Prize – Tea for Two. Ticket 0379. A Murphy
9th Prize – Breakfast at Waves. Ticket 1468
10th Prize – Panini Toaster. Ticket 0346. P Bullet.
