Visions of Christmases past will be on view when members of the old and new City Waterside communities get together to celebrate the festive season.

Residents and local school children will join a Victorian-themed procession through the streets north of the City Waterside development.  Santa on a horse and carriage will lead the parade.

City Waterside Community Singers have been practising for weeks to ensure they’re in fine voice, and children and residents have been creating lanterns from recycled materials to light the procession.

The procession has been funded by RENEW North Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Beth Johnson Housing Association - a subsidiary of Sanctuary Group - and Hanley South Action Group.

Councillor Adrian Knapper, Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s portfolio holder for regeneration, said: ”This is a great way to bring the community together for Christmas and at the same time, doff our hats to our cultural heritage.

“As well as celebrating the ongoing success of an urban regeneration project that is creating a fantastic neighbourhood for modern city living, seeing residents and children dressed up in Victorian-style costume will allow us to imagine how things might have looked during festive seasons many years ago.”
 
After the Christmas parade, residents will gather for a carol service at St Luke’s Church and then celebrate the festive season at a party in the Dresden Street Community Hall.