Chinese herald start of Year of the Dragon (From Worcester News)

Chinese herald start of Year of the Dragon

6:30pm Tuesday 7th February 2012 in News By Richard Vernalls, @rvernallsWN #worcsnews

EAR-SPLITTING firecrackers marked the arrival of the Chinese new year in Worcester.

Shoppers could not fail to miss the Worcester Chinese Association ushering in the Year of the Dragon.

A huge number of lucky red-coloured bangers were detonated outside the usually serene surrounds of the Guildhall, as WCA chairman and city personality Frankie Tsang and Chinese students from the University of Worcester got the party started.

Inside, more than 400 people, including the mayor, Councillor David Tibbutt, were treated to the roaring spectacle of a traditional lion dance by the Choy Lee Fut troupe from Leicestershire accompanied by enthusiastic drumming.

Youngsters were entranced as the lion was followed by a martial arts showcase and two acrobats dressed as small pandas.

Mr Tsang said that with about 1,000 Chinese people living in the city and 5,000 across the county, the event was a good way of opening doors between the communities.

“We are also trying to open up opportunities for Worcestershire businesses in China,” he said.

“China is a growing and powerful nation, and we want to explore opportunities for companies here to do business there and vice-versa.”

There were a large contingent of Chinese students who come to the University of Worcester to “top-up” their studies.

Dennis, aged 21, is studying international business at Beijing’s Renming university.

He said: “We wanted to make a contribution to the city, and make a good impression on this place and it’s people because they have been helpful.”

His 22-year-old colleague Ye Yi Wez – known as Joey – said Chinese families would celebrate together, eating foods such as dumplings and rice cakes and by making a wish – or picking a goal they wanted to achieve.

"But you cannot tell anyone, you have to keep it a secret or you may not hold your luck,” he said.

“You might ask to find true love or a good job, or to study well.”