Community celebrates as Christmas comes to Chester’s Garden Quarter

Dec 10 2009 by Jo Henwood, Chester Chronicle

SNOW fell on a special city celebration at the weekend.

Magician Paul Dabek produced a flurry of snowfall out of thin air for Saturday night’s Lighting up the Garden Quarter on Cambrian Road.

Choirs and carollers brightened up the drizzly night with renditions of festive favourites before Ian Newton, retiring headteacher of St Thomas of Canterbury Junior School, hit the switch on the area’s Christmas lights.

Entertainers included Upton High School choir, St Thomas’ school choir, vocal trio The Harmonettes, A Handbag of Harmonies women’s choir, soloist Jane Wolfe and students from the University of Chester.

Garden Quarter Association chairman Matt Baker said: “Christmas in the Quarter is a celebration of our local community and helps to define our neighbourhood.”

The fun continued on Sunday afternoon with a Christmas market at Garden Lane Methodist Church.

MP Christine Russell, who lives in the area, opened the proceedings.

Children from Victoria County Infant School serenaded shoppers with a rendition of songs from their forthcoming Christmas play.

Organiser Jan Tapp said: “The event was overwhelmingly successful. Year on year more people offer help and support and you realise what a strong community we have here.”

Children are invited to the Methodist church on Christmas Eve between 2pm and 4pm for a special Christmas craft-making event.