Hundreds gather to watch Christmas Lights switch-on

Alnwick was full of festive spirit as hundreds of people gathered in Alnwick Market Place to watch the switch-on of the Christmas Lights.

Children made decorations for the Alnwick Christmas Lights volunteers to hang  on the Northumberland Hall and for one youngster the evening had extra sparkle as he was selected to flick the switch. Seven-year-old Jakob Gilroy, a pupil at St Michael’s School, joined the Duchess of Northumberland and Christmas Light’s committee chairman Gordon Castle to officially light up the town.

They were joined on stage by supporters of the lights including Alnwick Mayor, Councillor Geoff Watson, who said “What a superb evening! The Market Place is bursting at the seams as local people come and enjoy the event and I must congratulate the Christmas lights team – they are all volunteers and give many, many hours of their time every year so we can enjoy the display during the festive season. Alnwick Town Council is proud to be the main sponsor of the lights.”

Also pictured is the president of Alnwick Lions, Matt Lawless, handing over £5000 which was generated via the Lions Bookshop.

The Lions helped Father Christmas navigate his way into the Market Place after the switch-on and the Duchess just couldn’t resist going to have a chat with him as well.

And the weather was just right too – dry, not too cold and there was a shower of magical snow outside Robinsons much to the delight of local youngsters.