Big Fairy

Today was the day Stratford officially turned on this year's Christmas lights, which are actually just the same as last year's, and have in fact been hanging forlornly since sometime in October. Apparently Stratford's lights have been voted as the second best town lights in the country (England?) after Windsor, so they can't be that bad.

In year's past they have closed Bridge Street, the main thoroughfare, every Thursday from now until Christmas to hold a market. This has now been moved to Waterside, no doubt on the insistence of the permanent retail outfits on Bridge Street.

We wandered down to have a look after coffee at Nero. The market was OK, but for some reason didn't feel too Christmassy, maybe because it's still November, although there was a stall with three donkeys and two turkeys (all alive), I didn't see a crib ready for the 25th birth.

The light-up happened at the Civic Centre on Sheep Street. The Lady Mayoress pushed the button after which Father Christmas made an appearance. As to the fairy, well it's going to have to be a firking big tree to balance her on the top of it!