HUNDREDS of local people turned out in the centre of Westbury for the annual switching on ceremony of the town’s Christmas lights.
This year, Casualty and Hollyoaks star James Redmond took centre stage to compere the events and switch on the lights on Friday 26th November.
With snow in the air, a large and excited crowd lined the High Street to see Father Christmas arrive on Westbury Lions’ float, accompanied by his elves from Westbury Junior School who distributed sweets.
Both Father Christmas and James Redmond were a hit with the crowd, and while Father Christmas greeted children, James took the time out to meet fans.
Westbury Mayor cllr Christine Mitchell said, “I think the Christmas lights switch-on went very well, it was well attended and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. James Redmond was very, very popular.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Wheelers as there would be no Christmas lights without them, the Co-op, Morrisons and Tesco Express on Leigh Park for their donations of mince pies and sweets, and everyone who gave up their time to help make the event a great success.”
John Parker, project officer at Westbury Town Council added, “I think it all went pretty well! Having James in was a good effort – with Christmas in Westbury we try to add in something new each year and I think that’s one thing we’ll try again. Overall I’m extremely pleased with the events so far, it’s all gone very well.”
James Redmond and the Mayor of Westbury were joined by the overall winner of this year’s Christmas card competition, five-year-old Milly Matthews, alongside other winners Joshuha Hodkinson, aged 6 and Megan Taylor, aged 11.
A new feature this year was the fancy dress competition, with the winners Lucie May Brown, aged 5, Lottie Southall, aged 6, and Lizzie Newell, aged 11, joining in the celebrations.
