Christmas lights reaches new heights

Beverley’s town centre will once again be transformed into a festive wonderland for the locally famous Christmas Lights Switch-On, with many of the festivities centering on the town’s historic and recently revamped market place. In 2013, the crowds gathered for a spectacular illumination, which really set the feel of the season and got it off to a magnificent start.

The event is running under a new format this year and will take place on Sunday 30 November, with entertainment and refreshments commencing at 1pm, and the grand finale occurring later in the afternoon, once the sun has set. It is expected that the event will add a buzz to what surely will be one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year in the town.

Every year this event gets bigger and better, never failing to please the crowds, and this year will be no exception, with the addition of a vintage fun fair, giant snow globe and a larger outdoor ice-rink to accommodate all those keen winter skaters. There will be hot food available throughout the afternoon in the form of BBQ and hog roast stalls, along with some other festive treats.

Some famous drop-ins are expected from footballing legend Dean Windass and, of course, Santa Claus, whilst new community radio station Beverley FM will be hosting a grand line-up of local talent including local bands, dancers and singers. The entertainment for the afternoon looks set to be a truly wonderful spectacle.

But, on a more serious note, one of the key aims of the event is to provide a platform for local charities to raise awareness and fundraise at a time of year when people will, hopefully, be thinking of those less fortunate than themselves; this year there will be 25 charities from in and around the Beverley area represented - forming the focal point charities fair, which will provide a myriad of fun activities in various guises.

The afternoon will be nicely rounded-off as evening draws in with Raymond Briggs’ charming tale about Father Christmas (1991), screened outdoors in the Market Place, which can be complemented with a lovely glass of mulled wine and some roasted chestnuts to really get the ball rolling for the Christmas build-up.

The Christmas Lights Switch-On event will be the culmination of months of hard work by volunteers involved with the Beverley Christmas Lights Appeal, Beverley Chamber of Trade and Beverley Lions, with the support of Beverley Town Council.

There's still time for more local businesses to show their support on the day, and become involved with sponsorship. Contact Adam Corkett on 01482 390831.

Further details are available on www.beverleychristmaslights.co.uk and updates are also available on the Beverley Christmas Lights Facebook page.