NEW Year has been celebrated in style by the chinese nice chinese new year cards community of St John's Church in Whitehaven.
By Mark White
The Hensingham church played host to a well-attended gathering that featured food, the popping of red balloons and traditional Chinese music.
Organiser Jema Chan said: "I put on this event because most of the Chinese people in Copeland are living here as immigrants and are very hard working.
"They work long hours and some of them can't speak English fluently so I thought it was a great opportunity to get them all together.
"As someone who is quite integrated into the English community, I wanted to put on the event so that they be surrounded by Chinese culture."
The music was performed by St Bees School pupils Gordon Huang, who played classic guitar, and Margherita Li on the gu zheng - a Chinese horizontal harp.
"It can be quite lonely for some of them and this gives them a social opportunity," Jema added.
"Lots of them say to me that they didn't realise how many other Chinese people there are in the area which is great because they get to meet new people.
"Everyone brings some food, we share it out and then we listen to performances from some Chinese St Bees students."
Everyone who attended the event is a member of the Chinese fellowship at St John's Church.
Jema said: "As well as getting everyone together for Chinese New Year, it is also to open everyone up to God and welcome Him into their lives for the New Year."
CREATIVE children designed and presented cards to international students at St Bees School in celebration of Chinese New Year.
The youngsters in Prep 3 were helped by sixth form pupil Amy Martin to make the cards as part of an art project. They also learned how to write in Chinese and make origami.
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