Altrincham Santa Festival cancelled

The Altrincham Santa Festival, due to run for the first time this Saturday, has been cancelled.

Organisers said the decision had been taken “in light of the inclement weather”.

Based on the European-style St Nicholas Day celebrations, the festival was to feature a Santa Team Challenge and a range of activities including face painting, live music, dancing and carol singing.

Organiser Zainul Sachak said: “It is with great disappointment that we have decided to cancel the Santa Festival due to the bad weather that is forecast for the weekend.

“Health and safety is always paramount in every event and festival we organise so in light of this we have decided not to proceed. Thank you to all those who have worked towards the event and were keen to support, we will now begin planning our next event the Healthy Living Festival in February 2016.”

Last weekend’s Beaujolais Nouveau festival, another new event from the same team behind the Altrincham French Festival, was also blighted by bad weather.

Despite that, a number of local businesses including Francs, Piazza, Gastronomy and Cracking Wines were on hand to provide fine food and drink for the hardy souls who did brave the elements in Goose Green.

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Pictures from yesterday’s very moving ceremony and minute’s silence for the victims of the Paris attacks. Beautiful flowers by Eden Floristry in Altrincham

Posted by AltyFrenchFest on Sunday, November 29, 2015

There was also a rousing rendition of the La Marseillaise by local tenor Martin Toal, and local dignitaries including the Lord Mayor, Graham Brady MP and Trafford Council leader Sean Anstee took part in a short ceremony in remembrance of the victims of the Paris attacks.

Children’s entertainment was provided by Radio Lollipop.

Zainul Sachak added: “The organisers would like to thank those who braved the elements and those local businesses in Goose Green who supported the event. We hope to hold more events in Goose Green in the future as it’s an attractive location with lots of potential for holding cultural events when the weather is less volatile.”

There are a range of other events scheduled for next year, including the Healthy Living Festival, Altrincham Italian Festival and the 4th Annual Altrincham French Festival.