Bexhill lights up for Christmas

Fairy Godmother Llewella Gideon in cloak and costume brought a foretaste of the De La Warr Pavilion pantomime Cinderella when she waved her magic wand and, to the cheers of a throng which stretched the length of Devonshire Road, declared the lights well and truly switched on.

It was at the third attempt.

Two slightly ahead-of-schedule tries met with communications problems with switch-on assistants in other streets such as St Leonards Road, Western Road / Wickham Avenue, Sea Road and Sackville Road. Llewella's initial and entirely traditional five-four-three-two-one countdowns went unheard though taken up lustily by the crowd.

But it was all part of the fun in a night of good natured jollity and for those stamping their feet and blowing on their hands in the biting cold the eventual switch-on was swiftly followed by a spectacular fireworks display.

Promptly at 6.30 the first booms of the mighty mortars reverberated off seafront buildings. Spectators in Devonshire Road and on Marina were rewarded with a 15-minute fireworks spectacular. Columns of colour rocketed skywards. Multi-hued aerial bursts lit the sky. The action was varied, inventive and flowed without pause.

The new-look Devonshire Square found its true role as the focal point of the night's activities. Though not formally closed to traffic, the crush of people persuaded most drivers to avoid it.

Busiest man of the evening was undoubtedly Father Christmas. From 4pm onwards, Santa Harold and his Bexhill Rotary Club assistants on their illuminated sleigh were surrounded by children eager for an enlightening chat with the genial white-bearded figure.

Chamber of Commerce president David Getty had introduced a succession of carol-singing choirs as churches and schools brought the spirit of the real Christmas to Devonshire Square with performances which defied the freezing conditions and attracted large crowds.

The cold took its toll and the crowds made a mass exodus as soon as the fireworks were over.

This was despite the efforts of many shopkeepers who offered warming hospitality.

There was a constant stream of visitors at the Observer office where mince pies, chocolates and hot mulled wine found ready acceptance - including the Bexhill Chalyce Morris Dancers taking a break from their display.

There was false start for the teeth-chattering Janice Blake dancers when the tape machine stuck in the cold. Instead the expectant audience were treated to some seasonal music from five members of Bexhill High School Band.

The technical problems resolved, the dancers took off their coats and as true professionals put on a delightful display. Firstly, East in the Alps and then an energetic Ukrainian ribbon dance.

Local primary schools then took the limelight with King Offa Primary School getting in the mood with numbers such as Little Donkey.

St Mary's School, St Richard's Catholic College and St Mary Magdalene's School all contributed to the sense of occasion and were warmly received by those shivering in Devonshire Square.