Arundel’s candlelight display will be ‘biggest yet’

The winter bonanza is due to take place on Saturday (December 7) and will feature a bumper programme of entertainment and what is shaping up to be the largest lantern parade the town has ever seen.

The event, which this year is being sponsored by Jackson-Stops & Staff estate agents, is being organised by the Arundel Chamber of Commerce with support from the Arundel and District Rotary Club.

Deputy head of the chamber of commerce, Jonathan Brantigan, said: “We’re hoping that this year will be another huge success.

“The event has grown year on year over the past five to ten years and has attracted huge crowds to the town.

“However, this year we have made a few changes. With the financial support of Jackson-Stops & Staff we have been able to put on the biggest entertainment programme yet, with Sharon Blaikie, of Landon Sounds Events, taking the helm.”

The day will start at 1pm with Arundel mayor Michael Tu and town crier Angela Standing opening the festivities at the Town Square.

The Arundel Baptist Church, the Parish and Priory Church of St Nicholas, and Arundel Cathedral joining together for a combined churches service with carols.

Throughout the day there will be a packed programme with several choirs, bands, musicians and singers all performing across the town.

Father Christmas will be arriving in town at 2.45pm by horse-drawn carriage, provided by Fuller’s Brewery & the Swan Hotel. He will then be based outside The Old Printing Works Arcade in Tarrant Street to give out presents to children from 3pm to 4.30pm and then from 5pm to 6.30pm.

Children will be able to get into the spirit of things during a lantern-making workshop, in the Sussex Room of the High Street’s Norfolk Hotel.

The session will take place between noon and 3.30pm with all those wishing to take part in the lantern procession, being urged to form up at the top of the High Street, by the castle gate, from 4.15pm. The procession will commence at 4.30pm.

At 4.35pm the president of the Arundel and District Rotary Club will welcome everyone to the Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, taking place at the top end of the Town Square. The magnificent tree has once again been kindly provided by the Norfolk Estate, with the lights being switched on by the Duchess of Norfolk.

A parade of the larger paper lanterns will then march down Tarrant Street.

The High Street and Tarrant Street will be closed to traffic from 8am until 8pm.

Various collections will also take place for a number of local charities.

For a full programme, click here.