Great expectations in Dickensian village

A PROCESSION of characters, from artful dodgers to promenading gentlefolk, transformed a Yorkshire Dales village into the heart of Dickens's Victorian England.

Hundreds of visitors descended on Grassington over the weekend to experience the sights and smells of a traditional Victorian Christmas for the launch of its annual Dickensian Festival.

The festival, which also takes place over the next two Saturdays, was officially opened on Friday with carol singing at the village bandstand, theatre performances and late-night shopping and festive refreshments.

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On Saturday, the village square and streets were transformed into a traditional Christmas market, with musicians, dancers, chestnut sellers and street entertainers weaving their way along the narrow snowy streets.

Christmas lights were put up and shopkeepers and villagers got into the spirit by donning Victorian costume inspired by Dickens characters from Oliver Twist to Hard Times.

There was also a brass band playing and a torchlit nativity procession and carol service.

Next Saturday there will be an evening performance at the town hall by the Grassington Players while on Tuesday, December 21, a "Locals' Show" will include a tribute to the late James Birdsall, founder of Bradley Empire Players. All shows start at 8pm and profits will go to Parkinson's UK.

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Grassington Singers will also give two performances in the town hall on Saturday, December 18, at 8pm.

There will be no parking in Grassington during the festival, including disabled parking.

A park-and-ride system will operate from Swinden Quarry between Cracoe and Threshfield on the B6265 Skipton to Grassington Road.

For coach bookings contact 0782 6822231 or email grassingtoncoachservice@ gmail.com.

Contact the festival organiser on 0845 0942819 for further information.

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