Dorchester's 2008 Cracker goes with a bang (From Thisisdorset)

Dorchester's 2008 Cracker goes with a bang

7:01am Thursday 4th December 2008 in

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FESTIVE cheers went out as snowflakes fell on the streets of Dorchester at a cheery Cracker night that marked the start of the Christmas season.

Where Mother Nature failed the organisers of the Dorchester Cracker Night triumphed with pretend snow shooting into the night sky and on the main stage.

Hundreds of people took part in the procession through town with Father Christmas greeting passers by from his rickshaw accompanied by a walking samba band.

Children holding paper lanterns followed through the procession, walking past crowds of families and onlookers drinking mulled wine and sampling hot chestnuts.

“It was really lovely to be here and everyone has been so lovely and the town looks gorgeous.”

Jennifer Biddall, Weymouth pantomime star

Weymouth pantomime star Jennifer Biddall took to St Peter’s Church stage and spoke to the crowd before switching on the town’s Christmas lights with the help of a countdown from the crowd.

After signing autographs from eager fans the television actress, best known for her part in Hollyoaks, said: “It was really lovely to be here and everyone has been so lovely and the town looks gorgeous.”

The theme of the cracker this year was the Twelve Days of Christmas and shops got into the spirit by adorning their windows with lights and decorations.

The Horse with the Red Umbrella on High West Street won the award for the best costumes after being chosen by carnival queen Shelly Walton.

The owner John Fiori, dressed as a pied piper, said it was “fantastic” to win and said that it had been a fun evening with his staff dressing up as ladies dancing, swans and maids milking.

Mayor of Dorchester Kate Hebditch said the night went brilliantly.

“Planning for this started in the spring and volunteers have given so much of their time to make this such a great event - it is one of the events that everybody looks forward to,” she added.

Dorchester Travel in South Street scooped the prize for best decorated festive window.

The night, which is organised by Dorchester Chamber of Commerce, along with financial help for the Business Improvement District (BID) was deemed a success by families that flocked to the town for the evening.

Martin Curtis brought his wife and toddler to see the Cracker after hearing so much about the evening.

He said: “The night’s been good – it’s the first time we have come and it’s been thoroughly enjoyable.”

Town crier and president of the chamber of commerce Alistair Chisholm said: “It is fabulous to see so many people here in the crowds.

“The town is so lively and it’s what it’s all about – people strolling around the shops but having fun at the same time.”

The town was buzzing with live music and singing ranging from carol singers to big brass bands.

Before the procession Dorchester Community Choir and the Quangle Wangle Choir took to stages at opposite sides of South Street.

Later in the evening the Dorset- based rock band The Dolmen took to the stage, followed by the Durnovaria Silver band, the Dorchester youth dance troupe and party band The Crack.

The music still buzzed as the last of the late night shoppers strolled from shop to shop along the festively lit South Street.

n The Dorchester Cracker was formerly known as the Casterbridge Cracker. It has been the Chamber of Commerce’s main event in the market town for 20 years. It has grown in scale and popularity over time but it is still based on the principle of expressing thanks from the businesses and traders to all those that have supported them over the year.