Every year a local town holds a Victorian themed festive evening - in early December. Up until now I had only been a visitor, but this year No.2's football club were asking for helpers for the cake stall they were holding at the event. The kids were due to be at their dad's that weekend, so I thought 'why not?' and volunteered. Parents of the boys were asked to make cakes for the stall - I sent along a lemon drizzle cake:

Last year I remembered that we were queueing in the car to get into town for a good half an hour, so this year I was determined to set out early. In the event I was a little too early, but never mind. It enabled me to walk round and get some pictures before doing my 'bit'. No.1 was meeting her friends for the evening, so I gave her a lift too.
Lots of the stallholders were in costume - these guys were only too happy to pose:

A local radio station was broadcasting from the town square - the DJ having officially switched on the lights on the huge tree. There were some reindeer there, and some donkeys:

The lady who was tending the donkeys told me this little lady was quite the drama queen and had appeared on stage at the famous Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
There were some clowns and other entertainers. This guy was on stilts, and when he saw me point the camera, played up to it:

The shops tend to put on beautiful Christmassy displays. The tea rooms, having beautiful 'presents' and ornaments lining the upper shelves surrounding the room:

There is an annual 'window display' competition, and one particular shop always does very well. They won this year with a gorgeous Victorian themed display.

I saw these two chatting and had to laugh - full costume, complete with plaster cast and cigarette!

There were carousel and fairground rides for kids of all ages.

One of the pubs was blowing faux snow from a window, which did add to the atmosphere. There was a Punch & Judy show going on, but No.1 is completely freaked out by puppets, etc. and the authentic Victorian automaton display made her decidedly edgy. We walked past very quickly. Santa was there, with a sackful of gifts for the younger children, and I had to peer quite closely at this life sized model to make sure there wasn't a real person inside.

I didn't have to stand at the stall all evening. The wife of the current coach came and relieved me of my duties after a while. It was nice to see lots of people enjoying themselves, but seeing this lady reminded me that Christmas isn't always a happy time for everyone. She looked so sad.

I wonder what made her feel that way?
For the first time since they were born, the children won't be with me when they wake up on Christmas Day this year. I'm having a bit of a hard time getting my head round it, and feeling rather downhearted. Still, we are better off than many, and I will see them later in the day. I did float the concept of pretending that Boxing Day was Christmas Day and doing the whole thing the next day, but they gave that idea a big thumbs down. We shall do our Christmas morning on Christmas evening instead.
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