Christmas has come to Larky
Hundreds of people turned out for the Larkhall Christmas lights switch-on event last Friday night.
Six youngsters from primary schools were given the honour of lighting up Larkhall this year. They were supported by Larkhall’s constituency MSP, Christina Mckelvie, list MSP Monica Lennon and Councillor Peter Craig.
The youngsters were presented with a commemorative medal.
When Larkhall Community Council first bought the lights for Larkhall in 2013, they could not afford to present medals to the children, and the 2015 event was the first year that medals were handed out. However, the 2013 and 2014 primary ones were invited along on Friday, to receive their medals. Even Sean Clarkson, who had represented Machanhill Primary in 2013 and had since moved to Cumbernauld was delighted to come along and be part of a Larkhall event again.
The bouncy castle was non-stop, as was the facepainter, but as usual, the busiest place was Santa’s Grotto where nearly 300 selection boxes were handed out by Santa and his little elf helpers.
Outside, the Boogy Bus entertained the crowd and Larkhall singer Angel Gold sprinkled her usual stardust.
William Boyle capped the entertainment package with his now famous rendition of Nessun Dorma and followed it up by his own interpretation of Meatloaf ’s, “I’d Do Anything For Love”.
Sheena Campbell Secretary of Larkhall Community Council said: “All donated their services and LCC are very, very grateful. The Community Council have been inundated with compliments about the event which was organised with only two weeks’ notice, but they would like to thank so many others who helped in various ways.
“Thanks to Trinity Church and YMCA for use of their premises, groups, charities and individuals who took a stall, Alan Newsome who provided the fairground rides, the Co-op who sent some of their staff out to distribute sweets to the crowd at switch-on, and helped us prior to the night. South Lanarkshire Council’s Lighting and Roads departments for all their help. The local SNP branch, who arrived laden with gifts which they donated for use as raffle prizes, to help LCC recoup some of their costs. LCC were astonished when the raffle raised just under £100.
“Thanks to the community councilllors who just turn up and work like beavers, but a special thanks to Sandy and Beth Clark, Scott and Veronica Crombie and Lorraine and Ciaran Reilly. And thanks to the community of Larkhall, who turned out in great numbers in support.”