EMPEROR, Popeye, Tiger, Rascal, Shock and Jig, not to mention Santa himself, added a touch of magic to a wonderful torch light Carol Service, held at Raglan Castle on Monday night.
After weeks of relentless rain, a miraculously dry weekend set the scene for an event which had an unmistakably Christmas feel to it!
An estimated 2,000 people attended, the majority walking across the police-patrolled dual carriageway up the torchlit castle hill. A mini bus was laid on to convey elderly residents from St Cadoc's Court and those with walking difficulties.
By 7pm the castle car park was glimmering with the lights from the hundreds of flares issued to attendees.
The Vicar, Rev Simon Guest, conducted a traditional carol service led by Caldicot Male Voice Choir and Monmouth Town Band. Solos included Rebecca Millet's Coventry Carol and the Band's Snow Waltz, which had the audience swaying their flares to the rhythm of the music.
As the festive mood reached a climax, the gates of the castle opened and out came Santa in a sleigh drawn by six reindeer. These were headed by seven year old Emperor and Popeye, followed by Tiger and Rascal, with two little ones, Shock and Jig bringing up the rear. After circling the car park, Santa and his reindeer paused to distribute gifts to good children (of which there are apparently many in Raglan).
Proceeds from the evening will go to help the 32 Barnardo's projects in Wales. Mrs Eileen Denekemp (Barnardo's Regional Fund Raiser) thanked Monmouth Town Band, Caldicot Male Voice Choir, the Raglan Helpers' Group and everyone who had supported the event in any way.
Andrew Watkins, who chaired the Group, added a special thank you to his hard working committee and to Mr Guest for conducting the service.
"It was a fantastic night," he said.