An enchanting parade of homemade lanterns and circus stilt walkers launched Tavistock Dickensian Evening last night (Friday, December 5).

Hundreds of visitors and residents were blessed with a three-hour respite from a day of heavy rain to revel in what is the town’s largest Christmas celebration.

Children and adults walked from the parish church along West Street, Bedford Square and Duke Street with their fantastical and festive lantern creations made in West Devon Art Workshops. Somehow the paper lanterns resisted the drizzle and delighted the crowds applauding the parade which was led by the Higher Beings Circus stilt walkers.

The evening was a nostalgic festive treat with street entertainment and chestnuts roasted on Robey Trust steam engine hot coals. Mulled wine and mince pies were on offer as Tavistock Pannier Market and most shops stayed open late for Christmas shoppers.

The annual Dickensian evening had a mayoral launch with speeches high up from the Conservative Club and a welcome by Janna Sanders, the lead organiser, from Tavistock Business Improvement District.

Tavistock Dickensian Evening - Palmers Butchers doing a roaring trade dressed in period costume.
Palmers Butchers doing a roaring trade dressed in period costume. (Guy Boswell/Tindle)
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - a pair of happy revellers on Paddons Row.
A pair of happy revellers on Paddons Row. (Guy Boswell/Tindle)
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - the town museum staff and volunteers in period dress to guide visitors and serve mince pies and mulled wine and run a children's competition.
The town museum staff and volunteers were in period dress to guide visitors, serve mince pies and mulled wine and run a children's competition. (Guy Boswell/Tindle)
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - selling romance with seasonal mistletoe.
Selling romance with seasonal mistletoe. (Guy Boswell/Tindle)
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - festive street characters entertain the youngsters.
Festive street characters entertain the youngsters. (Guy Boswell/Tindle)
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - a sweet seasonal welcome from Tavistock Times advertising staff.
A sweet seasonal welcome from Tavistock Times advertising staff. (Guy Boswell/Tindle)
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - the town museum staff and volunteers in period dress to guide visitors and serve mince pies and mulled wine and run a children's competition..
Town museum staff and volunteer were in period dress. (Tindle)
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - Robey Trust volunteers roast chestnuts on the hot coals on their steam engine.
Robey Trust volunteers roast chestnuts on the hot coals on their steam engine. (Guy Boswell/Tindle)
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - a Tavistock College student entertains the crowds on Paddons Row.
A Tavistock College student entertains the crowds on Paddons Row. (Tindle)
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - Paddons Row shops and cafe draw the crowds.
Paddons Row shops and cafe draw the crowds. (Tindle)
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - a giant lantern.
One of the lanterns with its creator. (Tindle)
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - a jellyfish.
A jellyfish. (Guy Boswell/Tindle)
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - pannier market nostalgic traders.
These traders also looked the part. (Tindle)
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - a giant spider and dinosaur.
A giant spider and dinosaur. (Guy Boswell/Tindle)
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - stilt walkers entertain from on high.
Stilt wakers were entertaining from on high. (Tindle)
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - pannier market nostalgic hat seller.
A hatseller in the pannier market. (Tindle)
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - pannier market nostalgic crafts trader.
This trader had her best Victorian dress on. (Tindle)
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - a couple dress up in the spirit of the past.
Fabulous costumes. (Tindle)
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - a couple of pannier market traders dress up in the spirit of the past.
Enjoying the night. (Tindle)
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - a couple of revellers dress up nostalgically.
Keeping their fabulous costumes dry. (Tindle)
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - a young family enjoy a festive night out.
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - a young family enjoy a festive night out. (Tindle)
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - a travelling vintage musical organ from Professor Challenger.
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - a travelling vintage musical organ from Professor Challenger. (Tindle)
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - entering into the nostalgic spirit are a pannier market husband and wife trader team.
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - entering into the nostalgic spirit are a pannier market husband and wife trader team. (Tindle)
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - entering into the nostalgic spirit is a pannier market trader team.
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - entering into the nostalgic spirit is a pannier market trader team. (Tindle)
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - entering into the nostalgic spirit is a pannier market jewellery designer..
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - entering into the nostalgic spirit is a pannier market jewellery designer.. (Tindle)
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - entering into the nostalgic spirit is a pannier market team of craft sellers.
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - entering into the nostalgic spirit is a pannier market team of craft sellers. (Tindle)
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - a fitting attraction for a period scene a Robey Trust steam engine taking merrymakers on steaming rides.
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - a fitting attraction for a period scene a Robey Trust steam engine taking merrymakers on steaming rides. (Tindle)
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - a street toy seller.
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - a street toy seller. (Tindle)
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - a Bedford Square roundabout for the very young.
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - a Bedford Square roundabout for the very young. (Tindle)
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - a mum takes time out from her refreshment stall to ensure to ensure her children are enjoying themselves.
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - a mum takes time out from her refreshment stall to ensure to ensure her children are enjoying themselves. (Tindle)
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - a wreath seller and maker in period dress.
Tavistock Dickensian Evening - a wreath seller and maker in period dress. (Tindle)
Tavistock Dickensian Evening lantern parade.
Tavistock Dickensian Evening lantern parade. (Tindle)
Ian Lashbrook (retired long-serving Tavistock Town Council employee) switches on town centre Christmas lights with town mayor Cllr Steve Hipsey for the launch of Tavistock Dickensian Evening.
Ian Lashbrook (retired long-serving Tavistock Town Council employee) switches on town centre Christmas lights with town mayor Cllr Steve Hipsey for the launch of Tavistock Dickensian Evening. (Tavistock BID)