Page 6 - Town & Around - January 2026

6 Town & Around January 2026 Tel: 01485 540620 email: editor@townandaround.net
Wells Christmas Tide Festival

By Dani Crawshaw

volunteer - but my dad is one of the
organisers, I live in Hampshire but come to
support him. For me it’s the start of
Christmas, I love it, it’s where Christmas
begins for me, I’ve got all emotional now!”
And I have to agree, before I arrived I
wasn’t really feeling festive. But that’s all
changed.

Despite the rain and cold, crowds gather
later for the Christmas lights switch on, the
lantern parade and then the main event -
Image Brad Damms Sophia who’s standing waiting for a balloon Santa’s arrival. And, like every year, he does
s we walk towards Staithe Street we with her brother George says, “I’ve got my it in style, by boat at the quayside escorted by
can hear Christmas music from Christmas dress on for Santa.” a flotilla of illuminated vessels.
ABellFolk - a handbell ringers group You can feel the excitement, which is
who’re playing Away in a Manger. You can’t simply wonderful - especially at this time of
help but stop and listen. As a crowd gathers I year. There are children on adults shoulders,
overhear Laura, who’s here with her family, keen to get a glimpse of the main man.
say, “It’s a beautiful sound. It ends with a fantastic fireworks display
“This is my husband Anthony and our 5 over the marshes.
year old daughter Robyn, we’re here with a The Christmas Tide Committee, who put
big group of friends from Stamford, it’s now together the event, says, “What a day. Wet,
become a tradition and we love it.” cold, windswept and yet unforgettable,
because of the people who showed up.
“A very special thank you to Father
Christmas and his angels for taking time out
He’s due to arrive around 6, taking time out of the busiest season to be here with us and
of his busy schedule to make an appearance. bring smiles to so many faces.”
As we head to look at some crafts at The It was mine and my daughter’s first tide
Maltings, I chat to Sally Anne Smith, “I’m a festival - and it definitely won’t be our last.

And what’s not to love. There’s music
throughout the day, crafts for sale, plenty of
lovely places to get something to eat and a hot
drink. Which if I’m honest, with the rainy
weather, those pitstops are needed!
As we continue up Staithe Street, we’re met
by a robot who's wishing everyone a Merry
Christmas and giving the odd high five.
There’s also bagpipes playing, bagpiper Dave
Harper says he’s done the festival for several
years, “It’s always good fun, a good crowd
and there’s lots going on.”
I meet 5 year old Talia, who’s had her face
painted, “It’s a reindeer,” she tells me, “I’m
ready to meet Santa now.” And 3 year old