Seasonal smiles at lights switch-on
Organisers were delighted with the turnout at the official switch-on of Blairgowrie and Rattray’s Christmas lights on Saturday.
Hundreds of people braved cold temperatures to see the Christmas lights switched on first at the tree in Rattray and then in the Wellmeadow.
Man of the moment Santa Claus was in Rattray for the lights switch-on and along with piper AJ McGregor led a parade of happy children down to the Wellmeadow.
And despite this being his busiest time of year, Santa spent the afternoon meeting children in a specially-prepared festive grotto. There were long queues to meet him and organisers estimate that more than 170 children received gifts from Father Christmas.
There was also a range of other seasonal entertainment in the Wellmeadow including performances from the Blair Bells, the Happy Feet dancers, the Rattray Marching Band, the Lyric Choir and community carol singing led by Brenda Kerr.
A number of local community groups, schools and organisations - including the parent councils of Blairgowrie High School and the town’s primary schools, the Girl Guiding Association, the Scouts, and the Blairgowrie branch of the Riding for the Disabled Association - had fundraising stalls at the event.
The Blairgowrie Christmas lights were switched on by Citizen of the Year, Sandy Thomson.
He said: “It is a privilege and an honour to have been invited to switch the town’s Christmas lights on.
“I would like to say a big thank you and a huge well done to Blairgowrie and Rattray Illuminations Committee without whom none of this would have happened.”
Keith Reid, chair of the Blairgowrie and Rattray Illuminations Committee, said: “On behalf of the committee I would like to thank everyone who came along to make this event a real community celebration.
“I would also like to thank all the performers and stall holders, everyone who provided sound, lighting, gazebos, the stage, first aid and event support.
“Our gratitude is also due to the businesses and organisations that make donations, allow us to hold raffles, keep collection tins on their counters and hold other fundraising events for us, and to those premises and individuals that allow us to power the lights during the festive season.
“A special thanks must go to the merry crew of volunteers who ensure that the lights and this event happen every year.
“We’ve been able to spend more on the Rattray lights this year and also have new lights in Allan Street in Blairgowrie and seeing so many happy faces enjoying the lights is what makes it all worthwhile.”
Blairgowrie and Glens councillor, Caroline Shiers, was also involved in organising the event. She said: “The Christmas lights switch-on was a great success. It was fantastic to see such a huge crowd, I think around 170 children came to see Santa which was more than in either of the previous two years.
“It was great to see so many voluntary groups who work with our local children and young people taking stalls again this year and I know that between them they have raised in excess of £1,000 thanks to the generosity of those who attended the switch-on.’’
The Illuminations Committee is keen to hear from anyone who would like to get involved in helping out. Contact secretary Margaret Wotherspoon on 01250 870372 for further details.
•See pages 18 and 19 of this week’s Blairie for more pictures from the festive celebrations.
Photographs by Clare Damodaran.