By Karol Steele

Strange Cargo's Cheriton Winter Grotto officially opened its doors on Wednesday night ( 30 November) with a special preview evening.

The local Arts group have moved back to their workshop base in Geraldine Road and the Winter Grotto is the first project locally in Cheriton and Morehall as part of Strange Cargo's 3 year creative programme.

100 people who had read pages from Dickens' A Christmas Carol, which will be broadcast in the grotto, were invited to attend the evening.

The grotto contains a giant floor map of Cheriton and shelves of little houses made by local people at special workshops held by Strange Cargo throughout October and November.

Visitors to the grotto can view the little houses, listen to the broadcast which is being played in an indoor grove of Christmas trees, or post their stories and memories of Cheriton for a chance to win a hamper of goodies.

The Winter Grotto has been generously funded by Arts Council England, Cllr. Tim Prater, Kent County Council and Shepway District Council

It will be open between 1 to 23 December on Thursdays and Fridays from 2pm to 6pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 noon until 4pm.

Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2011©