Christmas Tide photographs taken over the weekend are available to view by clicking here with information about how to obtain them.

Wells was the place to be this year on December 12th for Christmas Tide.

At the Congregational Church Christmas trees had been beautifully decorated and many of them had their own particular theme. Shop windows and staff were decorated ready for their competition. The Maltings had again been turned into the Christmas Tide Cafe serving tasty beef stew and dumplings as well as a selection of delicious cakes and drinks. Upstairs and in every available alcove there was a Christmas market stall with some stall-holders even braving the weather outside. Children from Wells Primary School sang to a crowded church during the afternoon and students from Alderman Peel High School were happy to play their instruments in Staithe Street.

The Living Nativity had a large group of followers this year and members of the Outreach Singers lead the singing of carols. The stable outside Mermaid's Purse was the ideal place for Mary to have her baby and there were no shortage of animals to keep the family warm. 

The illuminated procession was a major feature of the afternoon as lanterns that had been made in workshops in late November and early December were lit and carried by those that had made them.  A number of people also dressed up in seasonal costumes to promote the spirit of the whole event. The procession which was led by Thundermental  Entertainers with both Fire Poi and Fire Breaathers and Trix and Stix who provided the drumming,

Father Christmas arrived in style by a magical boat to be greeted by Chis Coubrough while at the same time Fireworks lit the sky with their intricate patterns.

Around three thousand people turned out to enjoy the event and as Father Christmas joined his wife at the grotto, children lined up with hot chocolate to wait patiently for their turn to talk about what they were hoping for this Christmas.

A Christmastide Cocktail evening on the Friday evening which was enjoyed by many started the weekend  and the opportunity to go and see The Muppet Christmas Carol finished the weekend of on the Sunday afternoon.

THE ILLUMINATED PROCESSION OFF TO WELCOME FATHER CHRISTMAS

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