Cley harbour welcomes hundreds to carols event

The North Pole’s most famous resident was the guest of honour at the annual Carols on the Quay event at Cley Harbour. 

A young carol singer waiting for Father Christmas at the Cley event (Image: Hanne Siebers)READ MORE: Historic bank to be stripped bare - Lloyds seeks green light for removals

Santa and his helpers arrived by boat, mooring at a spot close to the village’s famous windmill.

A voluntary choir belted out festive songs, and the Fakenham Town Band also performed. 

Simon Read, Cley Harbour chairman, said there were at least 200 people at the gathering. 

The team behind the carols event in Cley (Image: Hanne Siebers)READ MORE: Christmas poultry auction returning next week - rounding off 70th anniversary year

Mr Read said: “Lots of local people come and there are plenty of visitors as well, because it's a very different sort of event.

“We have had it every year for the last eight years and people just love it. Santa arriving by boat is a big draw for the youngsters. 

A choir singing at Cley (Image: Hanne Siebers)“Everyone was singing carols and we served mulled wine as always.”

The village is also in the midst of its traditional Advent windows event, which sees 40 festive displays being revealed between December 1 and Christmas Eve. 

Mr Read said proceeds from the carols event would go towards works on the quay and the River Glaven, as part of an ongoing programme to ensure it can be used by boats. 

Cley Harbour chairman Simon Read dressed as an elf (Image: Hanne Siebers)He said: “We have got some desilting works planned further down the river. 

“That’s the last bit we have to do to secure the river’s future in its navigable state.

“We are hoping to do that in February, and then we are more into maintenance and improvements.” 

Father Christmas arriving by boat in Cley (Image: Hanne Siebers)Cley was once a thriving trading port able to welcome the biggest ships on the high seas, but a gradual process of siltation left the harbour only accessible by the smallest of craft.

Work began to restore access to the sea in 2016, and improvements have been made every year since.

Victoria Pryor at the carols event (Image: Hanne Siebers)

Girls at the festive event (Image: Hanne Siebers)Claire and Simon from Cley at the event (Image: Hanne Siebers)

The Fakenham Town Band performing at the event (Image: Hanne Siebers)