Hunstanton Christmas Festival and lights switch-on 2024

But Hunstanton's Christmas Festival got off to a bumpy start after police were called to deal with a bust-up between angry traders and council workers setting up the event.

The traders were furious that the main stage for the Sunday night lights switch-on had been moved from the High Street to the Green, meaning they would miss out on much-needed footfall.

While the stage - on a flatbed truck - was being set up on Sunday morning, High Street traders clashed with council officials on The Green.

Molly dancers perform at Hunstanton Christmas Festival (Image: Chris Bishop)

Police were called to reports of an affray and officers went to the scene to smooth the tensions.

They gave "words of advice" to those involved and no arrests were made.

But one person who saw the stand-off said: "It was very unpleasant, unnecessary and unkind."

"Some people should be ashamed of their behaviour after it caused a police presence," another added.

Street entertainers at the Hunstanton Christmas Festival (Image: Chris Bishop)

One trader said there was "pushing and shoving", adding: "It probably didn't need to happen, but people weren't happy with what was going on."

Hundreds who attended the event later in the day were unaware of the earlier argy-bargy, as stallholders plied their wares, bands played, choirs sang and dancers and stilt walkers entertained the crowds along with fairground rides.

But anger remains among many traders.

In previous years, the main stage and stalls have been set up at the Westgate end of the High Street.

But this year, they were placed in front of the Green, Town Hall and Princess Theatre.

Trader Kevan Fleming stands at the empty Westgate end of the High Street in Hunstanton (Image: Chris Bishop) Kevan Fleming, who runs the TCR Clothing store and is the High Street's longest-serving trader, said the area had seen little footfall as crowds gathered elsewhere.

"This is supposed to be the day they light up the town," he said.

"They've taken the 40ft trailer away, there's a £350,000 entertainment area not being used and all the attractions have been put by the Town Hall.

"This is a town council event. Why would they jeopardise businesses in the High Street?"

Adrian Eden at Write Around the Corner in Hunstanton (Image: Chris Bishop) Adrian Eden, at Write Around the Corner by The Spinney, said: "Come 5pm, when the lights are switched on, you'd normally have a  crowd here walking around the stage and that all makes sense to me.

"What's happened this year doesn't make any sense."

Anna Pugh, at nearby book shop By The Book, said: "It's just as well we didn't dress up like in the last two Christmas lights switch-on Sundays.

Anna Pugh (right) and staff at By The Book donned Victorian garb for last year's Christmas switch-on (Image: Chris Bishop) "It was a very disappointing decision to move the flatbed truck stage to the other end of the High Street."

Sarah White posted on Facebook: "It’s a shame, that end was always busy with people but they’ve basically cut it off from the rest of the activities.

"It usually has stalls more spaced out down the high street so walking down one side to the tree for light switch-on then gave the other side meant you saw everything including any shops open."

The High Street pictured at last year's Christmas switch-on (Image: Chris Bishop) But others supported the move, including Cathrine Williams, who posted: "It's a fabulous event and even with the rain, residents and visitors are enjoying their afternoon. So put up or shut up."

A large crowd gathered for the traditional countdown, as Hunstanton mayor Mike Ruston switched on the lights.

"Despite a disappointing number of stalls due to people crying off there were still more people in the High Street than would be on a normal Sunday afternoon," he said afterwards.

Hunstanton mayor Mike Ruston at the town's Christmas switch-on (Image: Chris Bishop) "It was disappointing that it was so empty at the Westgate end of the High Street but you do the best you can to get people to commit."

The main stage, on the lorry trailer, had been at the Westgate end for the previous two years.

Before that, it was sited at the opposite end of the High Street, in front of what is now the Hunstanton Heritage Centre.

Some of the Christmas lights at Hunstanton (Image: Chris Bishop) "You could argue that for the last two years it was on Westgate, but there were a good few years when it was not," said Mr Ruston.

"It's not unreasonable to move it around to give other parts of the town a crack of the whip.

"It's a much bigger event than it was a few years ago. Whatever you do, you're never going to please everyone."

A police spokesman said: "We were called to The Green in Hunstanton at 10.21am on Sunday following an incident of affray involving four people.

"Officers attended and the situation was resolved safely. Words of advice were given to those involved."