Shoppers enjoy DRY late-night shopping

With pipers on the festively-lit streets, carol-singers in Devonshire Square and traders offering hospitality, there was a good atmosphere.

The crowd in the square readily responded to the count-down as Town Mayor Cllr Paul Lendon prepared to switch on the lights on the Christmas tree there.

The Rev David Frost, Vicar of St Stephen's and Rural Dean, reminded the crowd of the symbolism of Christmas trees and lights.

Prince Albert brought the Christmas tree tradition to Britain. He and Queen Victoria set the pattern with a tree erected in 1841.

People needed light at the darkest time of the year and festive lights were a reminder that Jesus Christ was the "light of the world."

A succession of school and church choristers sang for the shoppers, the words of the carols handily placed on a large screen for the benefit of the public.

Though the De La Warr Pavilion was in darkness, the pavilion "Christmas Angel" - Rosie Freund '“ was out and about wearing her tinsel halo and giving out vouchers for the pavilion Christmas show.

This year the centre of balance swung from Devonshire Road to Western Road and Sackville Road.

The crowds were at their greatest in Western Road.

Meg Stone, 10, and sister Gabby, five were giving away chocolate samples outside The Olde Chocolate Shoppe.

Outside the Garden Cafe, Alfredo Silva was busy handing out free mugs of soup and mince pies.

Tempting tasties were on a stall outside the market,Santa himself was outside the Redstack Playhouse and Anna Champ of Bizzy Fingerz was inviting shoppers to get bizzy in aid of charity.

In Sackville Road, traders had made a concerted effort to redress last year's apathy.

At Curves ladies' fitness centre, owner Jerry Robinson, who had rallied fellow traders in readiness for the night, was delighted.

The street's spot-the-stranger competition had children peering in every window in quest of voucher prizes.

Jerry said: "Only one or two people opened in Sackville Road last year. This year we have around 20 businesses taking part in the spot-the-stranger competition.

"Last year almost everyone was closed. We thought we could do better so we got everyone together to sort something out.

"It's nice this year. There's a real atmosphere."

Outside Curves was an exercise machine with prizes for the most repeats in 30 seconds.

Jerry said: "Currently, the best is 25 '“ and she's only eight. It's amazing."

Also amazing was this year's response to those Observer traditions '“ hot mulled wine and mince pies.

The public were hammering on the door at 5pm. Within minutes the paper's front office was packed.

It remained that way for most of the evening.

In Devonshire Road, the C-Side Cafe was the hub for a new venture by St Peter's Church alternative worship group "the hill.'

They called it Retail Therapy.

Participants were invited to find clues in six participating shops.

The Rev Daniel Smith explained: "We have chosen shops which do Fairtrade practice or celebrate Creation in some way.

"There is something in each of these six shops which are word clues.

"If people go to all six shops they can build up and string together a six-word phrase and come back here and have a warming something."

Taking part were Wa Waa's Wool'N'Bits, Quinn's Deli, Bestsellers, Destination, Final Score and H&H Confectionary.

As Charlie the Clown brought smiles to young and old alike, shoppers progressed from street to street.

And the beauty of it all was '“ they kept dry!