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* Sion Corn on the footplate of Llangollen
Railway’s steam engine number 3802 as it pulls out of the station.
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Sion Corn has been looking for the fastest way he can
reach Llangollen to star in the town’s famous Christmas Festival at the end of
November.
The town is famed for celebrating
various modes of transport like river, road, canal and steam train.
So the grand old man – he’s known as Santa Claus in
English – has been giving them all a try to see which will get him there as
quickly as possible so he can spend more time joining in the fun with the
thousands of seasonal merrymakers who are expected to come flocking in to the
big event on the afternoon of Saturday November 24.
Latest to be given the Sion Corn transport test was a steam
train operated by Llangollen Railway and used more usually to provide visitors
with memorable trips through the stunning scenery of the Dee Valley from Llangollen
all the way to Corwen.
By special permission Sion Corn jumped the footplate and
was hauled along on a test journey.
At the end of his short excursion he pronounced himself
well satisfied with his trip aboard the gleaming engine number 3802.
He said: “Many people reckon a steam train is the only
way to travel and I agree with them.
“There’s nothing like the wind in your beard as your
rattling along hauled by a piece of living history.
“It’s a definite possibility for getting me to the fete
in plenty of time.”
Thousands of seasonal revellers are expected to come
flocking to Llangollen for the Christmas Festival on Saturday November 24.
Kicking off at 1pm with the famous parade which sees Sion
Corn being escorted into town over the historic bridge by a colourful cavalcade
of entertainers and local groups, the event features children’s fairground
rides and games, circus acts, a magician, dancing and face painting.
There will also be a chance for youngsters to visit Sion
Corn in his glorious grotto and put in their early requests for what they’d
like to see him bring them on Christmas morning.
During the afternoon visitors can look forward to an
eclectic mix of musical entertainment from local groups on two outdoor stages
and other on-street entertainment.
The fun-packed day rounds off at 5pm with the ceremonial
switching on of Llangollen’s legendary Christmas lights and a firework
extravaganza.
Llangollen Christmas Festival is organised by a group of
dedicated community volunteers. It
costs over £4,000 to stage each year and is self-funding.
The festival aims to provide
a free family-orientated event in the safety of the town centre with surplus
funds being donated to Wales Air Ambulance and local community groups.
Over the last couple of years the police have estimated
that the spectacular event draws over 2,000 people into town during the course
of the afternoon.
For the second year the festival has teamed up with Light
Up Local Food, a project aimed at promoting Llangollen-based food and drink
producers.
Chairman of the festival committee Austin ‘Chem’
Cheminais, who is also the local town crier and a member of the town council,
said: “With the help of the community we manage, each year, to raise just about
enough to fund the event and give a little to charity.
“Last year’s festival was particularly successful, in
spite of the weather, and the feedback from those attending was very positive.
“The ‘market’ feel to the event provided by Light UP
Local Food was particularly commented upon and helped to attract visitors from
much further afield.
“Once again we’re expecting a bumper crowd to come along
and help us to give a great early start to Christmas.”
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