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by Desmond
FItzGerald
The annual Christmas fair in London's
Leicester Square got off to a spectacular
start on Friday December 2 following the
delicate process of installing the rides
and other attractions into the historic
gardens at the heart of the capital's
entertainment centre.
It was 20 years ago
that the gardens were first used by lessee
Bob Wilson Funfairs and allowing for a
three year gap, the Birmingham based firm
have been presenting an annual fair here
ever since in addition to presentations at
other occasions.
The celebrations took
place aboard the lessees Reverchon F1
dodgem track - a wise move in view of the
weather.
Following a blessing
from the Rev John Tudor, who' has
officiated in this capacity since the
fair's inception in 9985, the Lord Mayor
of Westminster Tim Joiner led a countdown
to switch on the lights, not only on the
rides but a dazzling display from the same
illuminations team who set up the Regent
Street display.
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Then the Town Crier for
London, Peter Moore, introduced the
dancers from the Silvia Young Dance
School, to perform using the Dodgem track
as a stage.
Dancers from this
school have presented their musical
medleys here before but this time the
performance was spectacular and worthy of
the show business surroundings.
The Royal Philharmonic
orchestra played live in the square in the
summer for the latest Star Wars premiere,
but even they would be hard put to match
the style that the two groups of several
dozen displayed. This featured a West End
musical medley and then a Christmas song
medley complete with Santa's elves
matching costumes.
The. gathering crowd
appreciated the display despite the rain
and it was also going out live on MTV via
their nearby studios.
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Following this, lessee
Willie Wilson OBE introduced Silvia Young
herself to the crowd and congratulated her
on being awarded the OBE for services to
dance and education and thereby becoming a
member of that special club. The award had
taken place just the day
before.
The formalities
completed, a tour of the fair included a
sedate ride on Noyces gallopers and
several games of skill including William
Robert Wilson's diskin-the-circle and
Danny Smith Junior's
basketball.
The official party that
included Westminster City Council Cabinet
member Robert Davis, Councillor Tim
Mitchell and event and artist consultant
David Barnes among others in addition to
those already mentioned repaired to the
stylish Apex Restaurant for a seasonal
reception.
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