Christmas fun best ever for Old Town

This magical winter sight as he arrives pulled by reindeer signals the start of fun and festivity for the young and young-at-heart, whatever their age.

The Old Town Christmas weekend was packed with entertainment from carols to carousels and back, and featured a pageant, nativity, bell-ringing and hands-on creativity.

“We think this was probably the best we have done,” said Bexhill Old Town Preservation Society (OTPS) secretary Pauline Bullock.

“We had more people than ever before and the park was full of children playing. It was lovely. They were running about enjoying the rides as well as queuing to see Father Christmas and his reindeer.

“I think it really was very nice. You hear people talking as you walk around, and I heard they had come from Ninfield, Eastbourne, and Hastings. It is very good for the town.”

Apart from Mic Mac, Glory, and Twinkle - just some of the reindeer which appeared over the weekend - visitors enjoyed a wide variety of live performance and music.

This included a nativity play by the pupils of King Offa school and dance displays by Lacey Theatre Arts.

There was a pageant around the Manor Gardens on behalf of the Town Mayor’s charities. This was organised by Stuart Wood, Bexhill Town Mayor, and led by the Rev Olivia Werrett, to highlight and help East Sussex disabled children.

Inside the marquee there was a mini-panto by BATS (Bexhill Amateur Theatrical Society) called The Beauty of The Sleeping Wood, while Hooe Village Band played Christmas songs in the Manor Barn joined by St Peter’s church choir and Senlac Handbell Ringers.

Rother Children’s Centres were also on hand to provide plenty of activity for youngsters to get stuck into, including making canvas shoppping bags which they then decorated.

“There was everything lovely and gooey and fun going on,” said Pauline. They were all having such a lovely time.”

The event also boasted farmers’ market stalls, a seasonal selection of cupcakes, and hot snacks and drinks available from the Manor Barn kitchen throughout the weekend.

OTPS thanks volunteers and members who helped over the weekend, Mark Cornford builders for setting up, and St John Ambulance for its presence throughout.