Colchester residents happy with Christmas festivities

Hundreds of people attended Colchester’s city centre on Wednesday evening to enjoy the Christmas festivities on offer.

Festive lights were switched on, there was the Festive Light Parade down the High Street, and plenty of entertainment in other areas of the centre.

Traders and businesses have shared their joy at the support for the city. 

Olympic Boxer Lewis Richardson even started the countdown following a night of live entertainment in Lion Walk.

For Sally-Anne Connor, 56, of Brightlingsea, who is the owner of SA Catering – which makes fishfinger sandwiches - it was an amazing opportunity for her business, as she normally opens the stall on Fridays.

SA Catering - Sally-Anne Connor with her stall on the night (Image: Newsquest) She said: "It felt absolutely brilliant.

"I think it was a really good opportunity; it was my first Christmas function I’ve done.”

The Rotary Club of Colchester attended the city centre event in Lion Walk, and raised funds to help continue their charity work, as they gave children the chance to take a photo with Spider-Man.

The Rotary Club of Colchester president, Trevor Sayer, was thrilled that the club raised more than £100 which will be used to help charities they support.

He said: “The children really enjoyed having their photo taken with Spider-Man, and I’d like to thank the public who helped us raise £188 for local charities supported by Rotary".

Fundraising - Rotary Club of Colchester club president Trevor Sayer (middle), next to Spider-Man, and members of the rotary club (Image: Newsquest) Julia Wright, of Chelmsford, is the owner of Wright & Co Catering which does events across Essex and London - and has been bringing her stall to the event for 15 years.

She said: "It is always a busy night, it gets the public out, they come out and support the event, the switching on of the lights”

Colchester resident Alex Broadhurst thought it was a brilliant night.

Alex said: “The atmosphere was really good actually, I was surprised about the parade, I didn’t realise it would be as long as it was, so it was nice to bring my niece down to enjoy it all.

Business owner - Julia Wright of Wright & Co Catering (Image: Newsquest) Night out - (left to right) Alex Broadhurst, her partner Sam Boughtwood, and parents Lionel and Shirley Broadhurst (Image: Newsquest) “The huge Santa was amazing, I liked the effect of turning the lights on one by one, so it really got you into the spirit of it all, a good evening all round.”

Some businesses even got into the spirit as sports bar Hudson House in Head Street launched a new drinks menu.

Milly Sved, Bar Manager, at Hudson House said: “It’s so lovely to see our city lit up - it really comes alive.

"To celebrate and get everyone in the Christmas spirit we’ve launched a new winter drinks menu which of course includes mulled wine & cider, Merry Christmas everyone."

Getting into the spirit - Milly Sved of Hudson House (Image: Public) Ward councillor - Councillor Mark Goacher (Image: Newsquest) Castle ward Councillor Mark Goacher thought the whole night was a success.

He said: “I found it incredibly vibrant and busy.

“It was jam packed down Lion Walk, it has been busy down with the High Street with the parade, I think everyone has put on a good show to start the Christmas entertainment season off.

“It just shows what a rich and diverse city centre we have got in terms of food outlets, shops, people coming together, leisure places – come to Colchester basically.”