Canterbury's Lord Mayor unveils Christmas bus

Canterbury’s annual ‘Christmas Bus’ has been unveiled by the Lord Mayor. This year the bus features the Lord Mayor in full regalia on the rear design, promoting the Christmas Eve Carol Concert organised by the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Gift Fund.

The Lord Mayor, Jean Butcher, was joined by Stagecoach Operations Manager, Chris Webber in Canterbury to officially launch the bus for the festive season.

As one of Kent’s largest community carol singing events, this annual family occasion is a traditional part of Christmas in Canterbury and has been organised each year since 1952 by the local charity, The Lord Mayor of Canterbury’s Christmas Gift Fund.

With the help of volunteers, the charity delivers festive parcels to the elderly, disabled and lonely people as well as families and young people who need help at this time of year.

The Lord Mayor said "A huge thank you to Stagecoach, for allowing me to become the back of a bus! It's all for a fantastic cause.

"Seeing everyone come together in the centre of the city and hearing everyone in fine voice singing their favourite carols always fills me with festive joy.

"I am so pleased we can keep Christmas traditions like this one going and it wouldn't happen without the amazing volunteers who give their time to make it happen at one of the busiest times of the year.

"Please donate generously to the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Gift Fund on the night. Its work is invaluable and embodies the true spirit of Christmas.”

This year’s Open Air Carols will be in Canterbury’s Rose Square (outside Primark) on Christmas Eve from 6.15pm. 

The bus can be seen on local Canterbury city bus routes until the end of the year.

 Photo: The Lord Mayor of Canterbury, with Stagecoach Operations Manager Chris Webber unveiling this year’s Christmas bus.