Crowds turn out for Christmas lights switch on

by Lisa Reeves

Thursday 24^th November 2016

Thu 24^th Nov 2016

The countdown to Christmas started this evening as hundreds of people turned out for the Alderley Edge Christmas lights switched on.

Local families and friends gathered in the village centre to enjoy the start of festive season. Father Christmas made an appearance, having set up his grotto outside The Bubble Room, where guests were greeted with complimentary mulled wine whilst the youngsters were also able to enjoy some fairground rides.

Throughout the evening local performers took to the stage, which was hosted by Ollie Dunn, including girls from Alderley Edge School for Girls, The Bennetts, Erica Finney, Jade Keeley, Hanna Riddle and Luis Sullivan.

The lights were switched on by local actress and singer Alice Barlow who was joined on stage by the winners of the school's poster competition, Rhianna Donatien from Year 5 at Alderley Edge School for Girls, Nehmah Tayara from Year 5 at Alderley Edge Community Primary School and Ollie Hudson from Year 2 at The Ryleys.

Rev Ben Clowes presented prizes to the winners and thanked the Alderley Edge Traders Action Group who have organised the popular event for the past 14 years as a thank you to those who have supported them during the year.

Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Christine Munro

Saturday 26^th November 2016 at 8:59 pm

A very big thankyou to Mitch Gilbert for organising this really popular evening for everyone. He puts in such a lot of effort to make the evening a success. Wouldn't it be a nice gesture if the traders in the village supported him by joining ATAG. I am sure it would be so much easier for him if ATAG had more members giving added income and also more people to give hands on support on the night.

Gordon Massey

Tuesday 29^th November 2016 at 6:14 pm

The evening was great, however it's a shame that not all the lights seem to be working or on as at 4.00pm there were a few trees not lit come on the council get it sorted.

Roy Hall

Wednesday 30^th November 2016 at 11:51 am

Yes, thanks Mitch & your team! & well done Ollie Dunn you held it all together, and a big thanks to our on stage entertainers who braved the very cold night! Now a few comments! We missed the vendor stalls! The vendors tell us that the Road was not CLOSED off on time so that delayed the few stall holders that were there! One or two people left there cars on the road (one `spoilt our view from the Bar & Grill) we had brought ten guests to the switch on! (but we still had a good time!) I didn't see any of OUR Police in attendance! was there any there? & As regards parked cars could not OUR wardens put notes on cars at say about 2.00pm onwards` requesting owners to move cars prior to 4.00pm?
.Why were there no "frontage lights to the Stage? It would have been nice to see the faces of these brave entertainers? The Crowds were about half as many as last year! & No Xmas Tree in sight, was that Macc Council? MITCH how many business's made a £Contribution£ ?? I ask this because I reckon there are about 180 business's in OUR village` who are ALL willing to take money from us! There did not appear to be as "many lights" as last year? All in All a good do and we will be there next year. If I can help let me know Roy