Council helps Chinese Association with new year plans
26 January 2010
The Chinese New Year will soon be here and Cheshire West and
Chester Council has helped a newly formed Chinese Association with
its exciting plans for the colourful celebrations.
Saturday, 13 February will see a traditional Lion Dance through
the centre of Chester, finishing with firecrackers at the Slow Boat
Chinese Restaurant. There will also be workshops to make Chinese
paper crafts, a martial arts demonstration and food sampling to
make sure that the Year of the Tiger makes a dramatic entrance
across the city.
The Wah Lei Chinese Association is a brand new organisation in
Cheshire, assisted by Cheshire, Halton and Warrington Race and
Equality Centre (CHAWREC),
and founded by local Chinese people to foster, support and improve
the well being of the Chinese community and help them integrate
with the wider community in the area.
Chinese New Year officially falls on 14 February but the
celebrations are being held on a Saturday to maximise the number of
visitors.
Chair of the Wah Lei Chinese Association, Mia Tan said: "We are
officially launching the Wah Lei Association in the Chinese New
Year celebrations and would love to hear from anyone who would like
to get involved whether as a committee member, volunteer, donor or
sponsor. In the future we’re planning to offer a help and
advice service, as well as courses in languages and cultural or
leisure activities such as sport, art or music."
The Council’s Equality and Diversity Champion, Councillor Razia
Daniels added: "Cheshire West and Chester Council is delighted to
sponsor the new Wah Lei Chinese Association and help with their
wonderful Chinese New Year Celebrations. Equality and Diversity is
one of our key priorities and I hope as many people as possible
will be able to join in the celebrations this year."
The Lion Dance parade begins at The Cross in Chester at 11.30am
and moves to the Town Hall Square for 12 noon. It will arrive at
the Slow Boat Restaurant at 12.45pm where the Craft Workshops will
be held between 1pm and 3pm. Workshop participants will help to
bring the event to a close by floating water lily lanterns on the
Shropshire Union Canal at 3.15pm.
The programme for the day is as follows:
Lion Dance and Firecracker Display
- 11.30 am The Cross, Eastgate Street, Chester
- 12noon Town Hall Square
- 12.45pm Slow Boat Restaurant, Frodsham Street, Chester
Craft Workshop
- 1pm to 3pm Slow Boat Restaurant, Frodsham Street, Chester
Children and Adults Welcome
Float Water Lily Lanterns
- 3.15pm Shropshire Union Canal
- 3.45pm Finish