Festive switch-on is a winner
People in Johnstone are being brought together by the spirit of Christmas and one determined shopkeeper.
The community of Corseford turned out in style for a magical Christmas lights switch-on to remember.
Organiser, Chris Watson, runs the local KeyStore and wanted to get everyone together in time for the festive season.
“The Christmas lights switch-on was a huge success and we’re going to make it an annual thing,” Chris said.
“I thought it would be a good idea to have an official event. It’s been in the works for a few years.
“The feeling of community spirit was just amazing.”
Piper, Ariana McLellan, led a crowd of local Rainbow, Brownie and Guide units through the area before meeting a crowd of 250 to 300 people at the KeyStore.
The youth groups then led carol singing before local DJ, Robert Holt took over with a set of Christmas hits.
Switching on the lights was local hero, Irene Smith.
Irene was nominated for her work in foster care, helping hundreds of young people in the area.
She was joined by Chris and Corseford’s longest standing resident, Mary Jamieson.
“People don’t give this area a lot of credit,”Chris said.
“But I think Corseford is amazing.
“I’m not from here, nor do I live here, but I’ve worked in the area for years.
“The sense of community is like nowhere else I’ve been.
“People really look out for one another here, which nowadays is hard to come by.
“The amount of people who leave Corseford then come back to settle down is also amazing.
“You see four or five generations of the one family living in this area, it’s amazing.”