The Big Switch On this evening

One of the best days in the busy Audlem calendar has arrived – Thursday 27th November and The Big Switch On.

This is the night the lights on the village's fifty Christmas trees are illuminated, the big tree in the Square is lit up for the Festive Season and Santa arrives via the canal on Audlem Lass.

The shops are open late, giving everyone an early start for present buying and a chance to meet the village traders and, in some cases enjoy a welcoming drink.

The children of Audlem school parade to the village centre and huge crowds enjoy an event that was introduced five years ago.

Now, Audlem Traders Association, the Friends of Audlem School Association (FASA), the Audlem District Amenities Society (ADAS) and the Audlem Lass/RNLI team work together to provide a magical event for children and adults alike.

Arrangements are now well advanced for Santa's arrival. Audlem Lass will be bringing Santa to the Wharf by the Shroppie Fly and Audlem Mill at 6.00pm. For everyone's safety, barriers will be in position alongside the canal and the forecourt of Audlem Mill will be the hub of this part of the event.

Around thirty or more volunteers will be working as Safety Marshalls all dressed in RNLI tabards. Additional lighting is also being installed in the area.

'Wish Candles' will again be on sale when messages can be written by the children and then floated on the canal creating a wonderful sight as Santa arrives. The profits from the sale of candles will be split equally between ADAS (Audlem District Amenities Society) who install all the illuminated Christmas trees and RNLI who provide the candles and look after operations by the canal.

It's then up to the village Square where, with a roared out count-down, the big tree is illuminated by this year's sponsors before Santa moves off to his grotto.

This is a fabulous event providing a great evening for young and old alike and raising money for two excellent charitable organisations.

Do join in this wonderful community event and see the Festive Season off to a great local start.

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