Hertford Christmas Gala
Living and working in Hertford is such a pleasure at anytime of the year but at this time of the year it gets even better. Every year Hertford Town Council put on the Christmas Gala to mark the start of the Christmas celebrations. Every year it gets bigger and better with new additions and fresh ideas being tried out, the Ghost Walks were a hit this year as everyone loves a bit of that Dickensian ‘Christmas Carol’ feeling around Yuletide, it makes one appreciate being tucked up safe and cozy at home with all the Christmas lights glinting whilst enjoying a warm cup of cocoa!
Market Place where Abel is based has its own Christmas Market with lots of lovely stalls selling hot food, mulled wine, homemade chutneys and many other Christmas goodies. Abel joined in by running our own ‘cheese on toast’ stall and lucky dip. All the proceeds going to the wonderful charity ‘Teens Unite’ that support very brave teenagers battling cancer.
The council also runs a ‘Winning Windows’ competition, the theme this year being ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’. A lot of the local shops took part so there are some really wonderful windows for all the kids to enjoy! Abel is over the moon that we won 1st Prize and a great big trophy presented by The Mayor of Hertford, Linda Radford. I was an honor to go on stage with the kids to collect it on behalf of the whole team; it’s really made our first Christmas of trading a very special one.
Our snow machine went down very well with all the locals and visitors, it really created a magical feeling especially as the snow floated down in front of all the sparkling lights on the little fair ground rides, hearing the whoops from the little children as the snow settled on their coats and hats.
Visiting the reindeer in Parliament square whilst listening to the uplifting sounds of carol singers, is becoming a yearly tradition in Hertford, as is the kids dressing up in costumes to have their photo taken in the Stable next to the Manger! On the main stage during the evening we had brass bands, singers, fire breathers and many other exciting and entertaining acts. The whole town pulls together to create a truly heart warming event which all builds towards the turning on of the lights in Salisbury Square at 6.30pm. A beautiful tall pine tree, our companion for just a few short weeks, is covered in fairy lights, everyone in the town square counts down from 10, great cheers erupt when the lights go on, we all know its not long until Christmas day!
And last but not least, the visit to the Big Man himself…Father Christmas. We visited him in his Grotto at Hertford Museum, all the Children’s faces were lit up as they came out whilst we waited patiently in the queue. We wont give too much away as we would spoil the surprise for next year if you choose to come to Hertford’s Wonderful Christmas Gala! Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!