Technical problems didn’t stop fun at big Cosham switch-on
Families danced in the street as festive celebrations kicked off
TECHNICAL issues have once again struck Cosham High Street as its Christmas lights were switched on – but that didn’t stop families dancing in the street as they celebrated the return of festive traditions.
Families enjoyed an evening of festive fun with various choirs entertaining a crowd of more than a hundred people as they waiting in the cold for the illuminations to be turned on.
Lord Mayor of Portsmouth Frank Jonas was joined by Wave 105’s Collins and Santa Claus to push the plunger and light up the high street.
Once again due to the setup of the lighting equipment, a team of electricians had to turn on manually seven of the Christmas lights attached to lampposts down the high street – a repeat of the issue that struck the festive decorations in 2019.
But for Katie Goodchild and her two children, nothing was dampening the Christmas cheer, with the family enjoying the light show with Katie’s mum Chris, who was separated from her grandchildren last year due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Mum Katie, a 25-year-old Paulsgrove resident, said: ‘We love the lights – they have done a good job.
‘I’m super excited for Christmas now. We are so excited to be together this year after last year – we were in the tier system so we couldn’t mix.
‘My daughter wasn’t very happy with Boris l as t year.’
Five-yea r - o l d Summer added: ‘I’m most excited about Santa Claus – I’m hoping for a Nintendo Switch.’
It is the 15th year that Cosham’s very own Santa – otherwise known as Allen Jones, a former Colas worker from North End – has come down to the high street for the festive event.
Allen said: ‘It’s great to be back seeing all the kids.
‘It means a lot to them. ‘When I do this, I feel the Christmas spirit.’
While some residents remain apprehensive about holidays prices and the new variant remain a cause of concern, Allen and Cosham residents like Katie were ready for a wonderful Christmas.
Allen added: ‘I think everyone is just going for it this year – they want to make the most of it.’