Post by carol on Nov 23, 2012 15:53:03 GMT
Keith and I went to Deal yesterday afternoon to do a bit of Christmasshopping and see Gareth switch on the lights. It was a dry day, but was quite disappointed to find the shops were closing at5pm and the lights would not be switched on until 7.30pm.
We passed the time by going to a fish and chip shop where we knew the food was really good, and it was just opposite the area where the switch on would take place.
We got there an hour before time, and it was already getting full up with people. I had lots of children in front of me, wasn't right at the front like Herne bay, and also a tall man.
Deal is a nice seaside town, but it doesn't have the small town village atmosphere that Herne Bay does. There was a group called Black cats or something singing, and the man presenting didn't seem to know much about Gareth, he was not mentioned once, except when they came on to switch on the lights. He had no idea how to wind the crowds up as the man had in Herne Bay, it was really quite a boring show.
However, I was there for Gareth, who got a huge cheer when he came on, he looked amazing, so handsome, with a beautiful winning smile, and when he was introduced, he made a very short speech about how happy he was to be there, and was word perfect.
The lights were turned on after the lady mayor had spoken a few words, and then the cast tried to come down for a walkabout and to meet the people a bit, but due to all the drums etc still left up, there was hardly any rooom to move. The stage wasn't big enough either, when they tried to pose for pictures.
They gave up the walkabout cos there wasn't enough room, and I managed to stretch my arm through the barrier as Gareth came through, and he gripped it and spoke to me. He was not surprised to see me this time.
As they tried to make an exit, young girls were screaming and trying to get others to take their pic with Gareth at the barrier, it was absolute chaos, then seeing what was happening, other people started to rush towards where he was, the entertainment stopped abruptly, and women of all ages were fighting and screaming to get to Gareth, even though he was on the other side of the barrier.
By now a huge crowd was forming to meet him, I decided that I would give it a miss this time, as he would be ages, and we had been standing for quite a while, so we left and went home. I can see it may be quite busy with fans wanting to see Gareth after the panto, if this is anything to go by
In summing up I would say it was lovely to see Gareth again, but for me, this time the event did not have the great atmosphere and fun element, plus the talented children, that our local one did. However, Herne Bay has sadly made it into the Daily Mail as the area with the worst Christmas lights display, and the fault there lies with Canterbury council.
I much preferred the Herne Bay one, we had a crowd of over 1.000 people, beating Whitstable and Deal, which are much bigger places. I am sure all of the venues helped very much with promotion for the panto, which it appears has sold a record breaking amount of tickets already. ;D
Here are the pics, quite difficult to get cos of our position, but this time we do have Gareth in it.
love carol xxx
We passed the time by going to a fish and chip shop where we knew the food was really good, and it was just opposite the area where the switch on would take place.
We got there an hour before time, and it was already getting full up with people. I had lots of children in front of me, wasn't right at the front like Herne bay, and also a tall man.
Deal is a nice seaside town, but it doesn't have the small town village atmosphere that Herne Bay does. There was a group called Black cats or something singing, and the man presenting didn't seem to know much about Gareth, he was not mentioned once, except when they came on to switch on the lights. He had no idea how to wind the crowds up as the man had in Herne Bay, it was really quite a boring show.
However, I was there for Gareth, who got a huge cheer when he came on, he looked amazing, so handsome, with a beautiful winning smile, and when he was introduced, he made a very short speech about how happy he was to be there, and was word perfect.
The lights were turned on after the lady mayor had spoken a few words, and then the cast tried to come down for a walkabout and to meet the people a bit, but due to all the drums etc still left up, there was hardly any rooom to move. The stage wasn't big enough either, when they tried to pose for pictures.
They gave up the walkabout cos there wasn't enough room, and I managed to stretch my arm through the barrier as Gareth came through, and he gripped it and spoke to me. He was not surprised to see me this time.
As they tried to make an exit, young girls were screaming and trying to get others to take their pic with Gareth at the barrier, it was absolute chaos, then seeing what was happening, other people started to rush towards where he was, the entertainment stopped abruptly, and women of all ages were fighting and screaming to get to Gareth, even though he was on the other side of the barrier.
By now a huge crowd was forming to meet him, I decided that I would give it a miss this time, as he would be ages, and we had been standing for quite a while, so we left and went home. I can see it may be quite busy with fans wanting to see Gareth after the panto, if this is anything to go by
In summing up I would say it was lovely to see Gareth again, but for me, this time the event did not have the great atmosphere and fun element, plus the talented children, that our local one did. However, Herne Bay has sadly made it into the Daily Mail as the area with the worst Christmas lights display, and the fault there lies with Canterbury council.
I much preferred the Herne Bay one, we had a crowd of over 1.000 people, beating Whitstable and Deal, which are much bigger places. I am sure all of the venues helped very much with promotion for the panto, which it appears has sold a record breaking amount of tickets already. ;D
Here are the pics, quite difficult to get cos of our position, but this time we do have Gareth in it.
love carol xxx
