Miles Jermy THE smiles will be almost as bright as the shining lights as Great Yarmouth provides a fanfare for the festive season next week.Thousands of people are expected to cram into the Market Place for Wednesday's traditional Christmas light switch-on.

Miles Jermy

THE smiles will be almost as bright as the shining lights as Great Yarmouth provides a fanfare for the festive season next week.

Thousands of people are expected to cram into the Market Place for Wednesday's traditional Christmas light switch-on.

Neighbours star Caitlin Stasey is swapping sunny Ramsey Street for the slightly chillier east coast to flick the switch at 6.30pm.

Caitlin, who is appearing as Snow White at Norwich Theatre Royal, will be joined by Father Christmas, Mayor Terry Easter and Miss Great Yarmouth, Helen Avery.

After the lights have been turned on, the crowds will be entertained by the Radio Broadland Roadshow before a firework display at 7.30pm.

Santa will be delighting the children handing out presents outside Debenhams in Market Gates Shopping Centre to 8pm.

An exciting programme of entertainment takes place every Wednesday evening from the Christmas lights switch-on to December 17 featuring Father Christmas, a reindeer parade and The Beach Roadshow along with late night shopping.

Next Friday sees the arrival of the Great Yarmouth Christmas Fayre providing three days of fabulous festive entertainment.

The Christmas Fayre will be officially opened by mayor Terry Easter and TV actress Lisa Goddard.

The mayor will be joined by a party of children from Homefield Primary School, travelling on a roadtrain from the Town Hall to St Nicholas' Church were the pupils will open the entertainment with a performance of carols in the Church.

The church is the venue for performances by folk rock band, Stone Angel on November 28 and the stunning Lardal Kantori Norwegian Choir on November 29.

Tickets for Stone Angel are available from the mayor's secretary, Laura Goodman, on 01493 846125 and the Norwegian Choir from the Town Centre Partnership on 01493 745828, online at www.gytcp.co.uk or from Albion News in King Street.

Christmas Fayre times are 10am to 5pm Friday, 9am to 5pm Saturday and 10am to 4pm Sunday.

A roadtrain park and ride service from Beach Coach Station car park throughout the fayre.

Parking is free in council car parks on the Sunday and every Sunday up to Christmas.

Cookery demonstrations by top local chefs including Richard Hughes, owner of Yarmouth's Anna Sewell restaurant. Among those joining Richard at the Priory Centre will be Simon Wainwright, head chef at Yarmouth's Imperial Hotel.

The Priory will also be hosting Santa's grotto and the Blackfriars Brewery bar.

Contemporary and traditional crafts, gift and food stalls and festive entertainment in the church and heated marquees on the Market Place throughout the three days of the event.

Norwegian craftspeople, providing something special with a Scandinavian slant for shoppers.

The King John Charter celebrations are spilling over, with stalls offering a historic, medieval inspired range of gifts and cuisine to tempt the taste buds.

The thrills and spills of a funfair, open until 10pm, on Fullers Hill car park throughout the fayre.

Cookery Demonstrations

Friday, November 28

11am - Steven Norgate, Head Chef, Beechwood Hotel: Turkey en croute wild mushroom sauce, selection of seasonal veg; Turkey Moroccan style

1.30pm - Simon Wainwright, Head Chef, Imperial Hotel: dishes to be confirmed

4pm - Mark Dixon, Sous Chef, Imperial Hotel: dishes to be confirmed

Saturday, November 29

11am - Richard Knight, Head Chef, Lavender House: Roasted breast of pheasant stuffed leg chestnut and cranberry ravioli; Christmas pudding soufflé

1.30pm - Richard Hughes booksigning. Smoked haddock and prawn chowder; Roasted gammon and spice pineapple, poached pear in Florentine sauce

4pm - Richard Hughes or Stephen Duffield: dishes to be confirmed

Sunday, November 30

11am - Julia Herrington, Head Chef, Anna Sewell Restaurant: Christmas chocolate truffle with white chocolate snowman; Tiffin & Christmas trifle

1pm - Daniel Smith, Executive Chef, Wildebeest Arms: A simple pan roast pigeon breast with a locally picked girole mushroom salad and pancetta confit beetroot; Local skate wing fillited off the bone pan fried with Brancaster mussels and young leeks saffron new potatoes; Apple tart tatin with caramel sauce

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