Rock ‘stars’ help light up festive season
MORE than 400 people flocked to the Riverside in Whitworth for the town’s official Christmas Lights switch-on extravaganza.
The event on Sunday, November 26, was organised by Whitworth Town council’s tourism and leisure committee in association with Rossendale borough council.
The Mayor and Mayoress of Whitworth, Coun Alan and Mrs Janet Neal, welcomed the evening’s special guests – the winners of the children’s Christmas Rock painting competition, 10-year-old Lucy Wilkins from Tonacliffe Primary and eightyear old Josephine Ball from St Bartholomew’s Primary – who won the opportunity to switch on the lights on the night.
Festive songs were played by the Whitworth Vale and Healey Youth Brass Band and Whitworth’s very own Community Choir entertained the crowd. ●●The Mayor and Mayoress of Whitworth with Santa and competition winners Josephine Ball and Lucy Wilkins at Whitworth’s official Christmas lights switch on
Father Christmas handed out sweets to the children from his grotto, which was kindly donated by Robert Kershaw from Prosceneium. Howard Wilkinson took family portraits and mulled wine and mince pies were served.
The Mayor of Whitworth said: “As always, there was a fantastic turnout on the night.
“I had a wonderful evening and it really marked the start of the festive season for us.”
●●Pictures by Mike Burgess