MP joins in Chinese New Year festivities in Cheadle Hulme

3.58.20pm GMT Tue 27th Jan 2009

Mark released lucky baloons with the children.

Local MP Mark Hunter was at Cheadle Hulme Shopping Centre last Saturday (24th) to celebrate Chinese New Year and meet with local traders.

Mark was invited to attend the celebration by Linda Lee, owner of Rainbow 88 Cantonese Restaurant, who helped organise the event with the Cheadle Hulme Shopping Centre Traders Association.

Shoppers in Cheadle Hulme last Saturday were treated to a display of the lucky Chinese Unicorn Dance, a Kung Fu demonstration, morris dancing, facepainting, hot Chinese food, and much more. Proceeds of the event went to the charity Ovarian Cancer Action. Mark was given the honour of blessing the Unicorn before the Lucky Unicorn Dance.

Speaking after the event, Mark said, "Linda and the rest of the Cheadle Hulme traders have done a great job in organising such a fantastic event. It just goes to show how much community spirit there is in our area. For anyone wanting to sample some Chinese culture, or even just have a bit of entertainment to make their shopping more enjoyable, it was a great success!"

Mark was honoured to bless the Unicorn.

"It's our unique local shops, cafes and restaurants that make our area such a nice place to live, and I hope everyone will continue to shop locally, and support our thriving communities"

The Chinese New Year will see the beginning of the year of the Ox and is the year 4706 in the Chinese calendar.