Thamesmead Celebrates the Year of the Rat

Trust Thamesmead arranged for the London Chinese Culture and Arts Community Organisation (LCCACO), Thamesmead Town Centre Traders Association and Emergency Exit Arts to work together and bring Thamesmead Town Centre came alive on Saturday when it celebrated the Chinese New Year in style with a momentous four hour event, which was attended by Thamesmead residents, the Mayor of Bexley Cllr Nigel Betts and his escort Cllr Val Clark.

The event begun with the dotting of the eye-a ceremony which is performed to wake the dragon before it starts to dance to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Lion dancing, music, singing, the Linton Mead primary school gong orchestra, Tai Chi and puppet, mask and lantern making workshops also took place.

Trust Thamesmead's Chief Executive, Mick Hayes said: “It is the first time an event of this size has been held in Thamesmead Town Centre and it went down fantastically well. I am very proud of Trust Thamesmead bringing together so many different people of different ages and cultures, on what was a superb day.”