Miles Parkinson
Council leader
CHRISTMAS is coming and lots of people have already got into the festive spirit, enjoying a raft of seasonal events taking place across the borough.
Accrington’s big switchon was a huge hit, with thousands of people packing in to the town centre on a perishingly cold, but beautifully bright, frosty night to enjoy an action packed evening of family entertainment.
The brilliant live acts on stage wowed the crowds; all the fun of the fair was on offer, plus the chance to pick up some unique gifts and visit Santa in his grotto at the Town Hall’s Christmas Craft Fair.
Little Charlie Proctor did us proud, hitting the big switch to light up the town, and, of course, the ever popular spectacular fireworks finale had everyone oohing and ahhing as the rockets soared and whistled way up high, before bursting and popping to light up the night sky.
The local township switch-ons have also been well supported. These events are the result of real community spirit, local volunteers give up their time and energy so freely to make them happen and a big thank you should go to everyone involved.
As we go to press, Warner Street is set to travel back in time with a Dickensian Event on Thursday, December 8, with musicians, street entertainers, Victorianstyle fairground rides and a craft market.
Accrington Pipe Band will be playing and then a candlelit procession will lead visitors to the outdoor carol service at St James’s Church. It looks set to be a wonderful event for all the family to enjoy.
Santa’s grotto is open from 10.45am to 1.30pm on Saturdays 10 and 17 December, and Friday, December 23, so take the children for a traditional Christmas treat to see Santa and his elves in the winter wonderland grotto at Accrington Market Hall.
The Haworth Art Gallery and Stables Studios is a lovely place to visit at any time of year but especially so at Christmas when it’s all dressed up for the season.
There’s a free Christmas family fun day there on Sunday, December 18, featuring crafts both at the gallery and stables, and of course Santa Claus in attendance, with live music from the Red Rose Singers. The Gallery Kitchen is open too, featuring a scrumptious seasonal menu.
This is the season of goodwill, and the ‘Gifts for the Elderly’ campaign, spearheaded by the marvellous GP Community Matrons embodies this, making Christmas brighter for some of the borough’s most vulnerable elderly residents.
Hyndburn folk, including our staff here at the council, have really got behind the campaign again; donating lots of small gifts for over 75s to open on Christmas morning, and so letting more than 6,000 elderly people living alone in Hyndburn this Christmas know that we are thinking about them.
Well done to the Community Matrons for organising the campaign and to everyone who has donated so generously, it really is what Christmas is all about.
There’s still plenty of time to do some Christmas shopping in Accrington’s award winning market. Please shop local this festive season, support your local traders and make the most of our friendly local service and remember, unlike many other Lancashire towns, parking is still FREE.
And finally, I’d like to offer you my best wishes for a very Merry Christmas and Happy and Peaceful New Year.