Hundreds brave rain for Pontypool Christmas bash (From South Wales Argus)

Hundreds brave rain for Pontypool Christmas bash

3:40pm Monday 30th November 2009

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PEOPLE packed the streets of Pontypool at the weekend for the town's annual Christmas Cavalcade.

More than 600 people lined the streets as the day reached its climax with the parade through town before the Christmas lights switch-on.

Santa was in his grotto throughout Saturday in the indoor market, as well as a host of street entertainment ranging from clowns and magicians to Sigmunde the singing reindeer and Brian the giant elf.

Despite the drizzle, people were in good spirits for the parade through Commercial Street and George Street, which as well as Santa, elves and snowmen, featured two children's favourites for the day: Peppa Pig and her brother George, children's cartoon characters who had been wandering through the streets mixing with children throughout the day.

Katie Bendon, 29, from Griffithstown, came with her son Ross, eight, and daughter Megan, 17 months.

She said: "This was the first time we've been - it was really good, the weather could have been better though."

The parade led spectators up The Link at the top of Crane Street where Peppa did the honours of switching on the Christmas lights before the Salvation Army led the crowd in a rendition of Jingle Bells to mark the start of Christmas in Pontypool.

Paula James, 29, from Cwmbran, who was at the Cavalcade with her two sons Kieran Webb, seven, and Max Webb, two.

She said: "We come every year and it was really good, better than Cwmbran's, this is a better performance."

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