Dear Reader

As Halloween and Bonfire Night fade from view, preparations for Christmas can now begin in earnest. Decorations are beginning to adorn shop windows, and trees are starting to be assembled. Congratulations must be given to the organisers of the Counting Down to Christmas festival, which kicks off with the Big Christmas light switch next Thursday.

Their hard work has brought this tradition back to the town centre after several years without it. Whilst Scrooges might decry Christmas lights in November, much work has been done to give Scarborough what it deserves, a winter wonderland. Shoppers this season will notice a different atmosphere in town as street theatre, musicians and performers work to bring a little magic to proceedings. Christmas in Scarborough has felt a little lacklustre in recent years but the new festival promises to show it still is the most wonderful time of the year.