Living nativity starts Arundel celebrations

The delightful living nativity scene was just part of Arundel's weekend celebrations as the Christmas season got underway.

It began on Friday evening, when the Duchess of Norfolk switched on the new Christmas tree lights, replacing the old ones which were destroyed in the Arundel fire station blaze last month.

The switch-on was followed by a carol service organised by pastor Philip Tout and led by the town's three churches, with the junior choristers from the cathedral.

On Saturday it was the turn of the town's traders to stage their special event, Arundel by Candlelight. Roads were closed from mid-afternoon and many visitors, as well as residents, enjoyed the friendly, festive atmosphere, with entertainment in various locations, including a flautist, carol singers and a solo singer.

Father Christmas set up his grotto in the museum, helped by Tinkerbell, and there were so many visitors that he twice had to send for more presents.

The hog roast also ran out in record time and mulled wine, served up by a number of traders, was in great demand, too.

"It was absolutely brilliant," said Geoff Squire, treasurer and vice-chairman of Arundel Chamber of Commerce, which organised Saturday's festivities. "The weather was very kind to us, giving us a window of opportunity when the wind died down and the temperatures went up."

Over at the town hall, business was brisk on Saturday and Sunday at the Christmas gift fair held by the Arundel Fairtrade Town Group. Stalls selling fairly traded goods were side-by-side with those offering gifts made by producers in and around Arundel.