Year of the Rat

Gong Hei Fat Choy - or Happy [Chinese] New Year! It's the Year of the Rat this year, which according to Mr Man means prosperity - all those prolific little rat babies.

Celebrations at the Chinese Centre at Lower Meadow begin with the usual fusillade of firecrackers in the car park, so loud that the sound rebounds from the flats behind the centre. Then there's the traditional lion dance - two lions this year, on fine form, each operated by two young men as they cavort around grooming themselves, stretching their necks to look about, and unnerving the little children. As part of the dance, each lion has to 'eat' a lettuce, spitting out the shredded leaves, for good luck.

After the dance is over, the crowds gather in the Chinese Centre for speeches - in Cantonese and Mandarin - and Chinese music, and the little girls perform a ribbon dance. I'm invited to say a few words, and I take the chance to thank the Chinese community for their hospitality and the way in which they have integrated so positively into the neighbourhood.

After the music and dancing, there's a splendid lunch laid on by our hosts - meat, rice, noodles, spring rolls, vegetables and an array of desserts made with tapioca, sesame and all sort of other ingredients. The sun is shining, everyone is enjoying themselves, and it seems the Year of the Rat has started very well indeed.