Chinese Celebrations
One Sunday in February I left my local Church and walked to the Velodrome to watch the Chinese New Year Celebration which took place in a Marquee just outside the door of the Manchester Velodrome. When I arrived I took my seat along with hundreds of other people in the marquee ready for the show to start.

At 1.20pm, the young Chinese Comperes’ came on to the stage to welcome the VIPS and the local people by saying Kung Hey Fat Choi which means Happy New Year.

The Lord Mayor of Manchester. Mr. Hugh Barrett performed the opening ceremony. He gave a short speech which lasted about 5 minutes.

The comperes’ returned to introduce the first act onto the stage, they were called Charlie Chan, Chan K.W. and the students of the Wai Yin Tai Chai, their demonstration lasted about 15 minutes, then the Chinese Consulate of Manchester give a speech for about 10. minutes.

The second act was introduced they were The Lion Dance and Xin Jiang Dancers, performed by the Sheffield and District Chinese School.
Next was Classical Chinese Music, performed by Henry and Ada with the British students singing Classical Chinese Folk Songs.

Then Tony Lloyd (MP Central Manchester) gave a short
speech before Presenting souvenirs to people from three local organisations, first was a representative from the Velodrome, then Sarah Blunn Regeneration Officer from the New Deal for Communities and last but not least Debbie Bowley from the Beswick and Bradford Community Project.
After the presentations the fourth act Tai Chi Zhi kung performed a demonstration by Grace Chen, followed by the Lion Dance and Martial Arts demonstration performed by Fu Gunng Sha Children. Then came the last act who were called Chu’s Martial Art Masters they performed Dragon and Lion Dance.

Congratulations to everyone involved for making it a fantastic day in the community and bringing all the people from the area and the Chinese community together.