Christmas Cracker Goes with a Bang!

Tuesday, December 6th, 2011

Thanks to everyone who came along to Cracker Night on Thursday last week – we brought the magic of Christmas to Dorchester and proved that it’s one night not even the cold wind and rain could dampen!

The town centre was absolutely buzzing, as South Street was filled with people enjoying themselves amidst the stalls selling all kinds of Christmas treats.

We at the BID made our own little contribution to the evening with the light display projected onto the side of Lloyds TSB bank, showing alternately a dancing ballerina, a fairground carousel and a creepy crawly spider!

The star of the show was of course Eric Knowles, who did the honours of pulling the switch to light up the town this year. He spent the day in Dorchester with a book signing at Waterstone’s during the afternoon, and regaled his audience with tales of his long career in antiques in the evening at the Corn Exchange.

At St Peter’s Church visitors were treated to wonderful live music, and children got the opportunity to see Father Christmas in his Grotto, where he was handing out sweets and mince pies and wishing all a merry Christmas!

Another highlight was the town crier competition – We don’t think we’ve ever seen so many of them in one place! They certainly added to the jollity of the occasion, so a big thank you to all of the criers who travelled from across Dorset to take part.

Finally, a mention of the prizes: Hi Ho Silver in Antelope Walk were declared the winners for Best Dressed Staff, while Mabbs Menswear in High West Street scooped first prize in the Best Dressed Window Competition.

Borough Gardens Lantern Parade

If you missed Cracker Night, you will have another great opportunity to experience some Christmas cheer in Dorchester with the lantern parade in the Borough Gardens on 15th December (next Thursday!).

The lantern parade will share the occasion with the traditional Borough Gardens carols evening, which takes place every year at this time. The parade, which sees children carrying their own homemade lanterns, will start out from the Corn Exchange at 6pm. They will carry their lanterns through town up to the Borough Gardens bandstand for 6.30pm, in time for the start of the carol service.

Anyone is welcome to join the parade with their own lantern, and the stated intention of organisers Dorchester Arts is to have an event which is very child-friendly, particularly for young children.