25th Christmas cavalcade cancelled due to gale force winds

Dancers, bands and singers were due to have paraded through streets for the 25th Pontypool Cavalcade this afternoon.

But the organisers were forced to cancel the cavalcade after the Met Office issued a yellow warning of wind with gusts predicted to reach up to 60mph today.

Although the parade has been cancelled, the Christmas lights switch-on will still go ahead this evening. 

But all the entertainment including live music and children’s activities has been moved inside Pontypool Indoor Market.

Pontypool Community Council chairman Bryn Parker will turn on the Christmas lights inside the market with a simultaneous switch-on in the streets at 5pm. 

Community council member, Gaynor James, runs a children’s clothes shop inside the market called Individuality. 

She said: “Everything has been moved inside the market. There is no parade because of the weather, the forecast high winds and the rain. 

“It has been very busy inside the market with all the face painting, the carol singing and the brass band. 

“It’s been really good, it’s been fabulous. The kids in there have really enjoyed it. It’s like bedlam.”

Groups including the Alison Lee Academy School of Dance, the Dance Stars Academy, and primary schools were all booked for the event.

Cllr James said she did not know if the community council, which organised the event, could recoup the money from the cancelled cavalcade. 

She said the parade would have featured a horse drawn carriage which was coming from Somerset. 

Today’s event also featured a fancy dress competition and Santa welcomed children in his grotto inside the market. 

A Met Office spokesman said today: “A blustery weekend is expected across England and Wales. 

“Winds will continue to strengthen from the west on Saturday, gusts around coastlines exposed to the westerly or southwesterly winds could reach 60 mph in places, while inland gusts could touch around 50 mph.”