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Video: St Nicholas kicks
off Canterbury's Christmas celebrations.

by Katie Alston

Angels, snowflakes and even a
turkey joined the annual Saint Nicholas Parade in Canterbury,
helping raise more money for this year’s chosen charities than ever
before.

The city centre streets were full
of Christmas cheer on Saturday as the procession wound its way
through the crowds and reminded everyone of the generosity shown by
St Nicholas, the inspiration for the modern day Father
Christmas.

Now in its 11th year the parade has
become a highlight of the Canterbury calendar, with school children
from around the area joining in the colourful and vibrant march
from Palace Street to the Cathedral.

The banging of drums and the
blowing of trumpets meant there was no missing the 250-strong
tinsel clad procession, with crowds of people gathering and coming
out of shops to see the sparkling march pass by.

Children danced and held their
Christmas crafts up high, with this year’s theme being bells.

St Nicholas was led through the
streets by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams
with volunteers handing out chocolate coins and taking donations
for the Eyeless Trust and Porchlight Young Person’s Services.

More than £318 was raised by the
street collection with a further estimated £4,000 being donated at
the sold-out gala dinner event, where £1,375 was raised alone by
after auction of a painting by local artist Peter Livesey.

Read more reaction and see
more pictures in this Thursday's Kentish Gazette.