Fabulous Lights Switch On event

December 2009
This year saw the biggest turnout ever for Hattersley’s Christmas Lights Switch On event, on Wednesday 2 December. More than 500 residents, of all ages, descended on the Community Square to enjoy all the fun inside at the Community Centre and Library and outside on the car park.

People were queuing up outside the Community Centre to watch the fantastic performances from children from Arundale, St James and Pinfold Primary Schools. Children from the Community Centre dance group wowed the spectators as did the youngsters who performed from Alder Community High School.

Children of all ages were able to email Santa their Christmas list from library or do some Christmas crafts. Creative children got to do plenty of crafts in the crèche room too, organised by staff from the SureStart Centre and Under 13’s project.

Parents and children alike were mesmerised by Santa’s reindeer’s who rested with a snack in the Community Square while Santa and Mrs Christmas were chatting to the children inside their specially designed grotto in the Community Centre. The whole place was overrun by children with their reindeer antlers and fantastically, magically painted faces.

The years event, as always was only made possible by the hard work and generosity of a great many people. The event was organised by Hattersley Forum Community Association supported by Hattersley & Mottram Community Media (HMCM) but it was thanks to the work of over 40 resident volunteers who all played their part in bringing together a fantastic event for the whole community.

Almost everything at the event was provided free of charge to local youngsters, thanks to the donations and contributions made by local businesses large and small and local community groups and agencies. The ice skating in the car park was free of charge, as was the face painting. Children under eight got to see Father and Mother Christmas for free and also got a small gift. The hotdogs and beef burgers for the little ones were free and the reindeer headwear was completely free too.