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by Sian Napier

snapier@thekmgroup.co.uk

CANTERBURY Festival got off to a noisy and colourful start on
Saturday evening when a vibrant parade of musicians and
costumed children and young people wound its way through the city
centre.

Representing the many countries of the world and dressed in
colourful outfits, the parade left the Westgate Hall accompanied by
musicians from Whitstable Samba Pela Band, Nostalgia Steel Pan Band
from London, Fulston Manor Samba Band from Sittingbourne and Simon
Langton School for Boys, Canterbury.

The parade was led by the Lord Mayor Cllr Pat Todd and his wife
Barbara, who were followed by the musicians and by pupils from
several schools in the area, including Spires Academy, Sturry,
Bridge and Barton Court, St Stephen’s and Wincheap in
Canterbury.

For the first time drummers from the city’s St Peter’s Primary
School took part in the parade, as well as the Red Wheelies, a
scooter formation display team made up of members of Canterbury
multiple sclerosis therapy centre in Merton Lane.

People from Northgate and Querns Road community centres were
also in the parade. It wound its way through the centre, watched by
crowds of people who lined the route, to the Dane John Gardens
where there were performances from pupils from Fulston Manor School
and Canterbury High.

Canterbury Festival development manager Amanda McKean
said: "The parade was really colourful and and although it did
rain a little it was not enough to spoil things. It gave the city
centre a real splash of colour and noise as it made its way up the
High Street.”

See this week's Kentish Gazette for full report, more
pictures and the latest Festival news and reviews.