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Packed village for Big Switch On

28th November 2014 @ 6:06am – by Webteam
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The Big Switch On is getting bigger and bigger, it seems, as Audlem was packed for Santa's arrival and the switching on of the big tree in the Square and over fifty other trees.

Santa arrived on Audlem Lass at 6.00pm and the well-marshalled Wharf was packed with people as the canal saw hundreds of floating 'wish candles', giving Santa early notice and a good month to make those wishes come true.

The bucket collections and candle sales will all be split between the RNLI and ADAS, the Audlem District Amenities Society, who have installed and illuminated all the trees throughout the village centre. As yet, we don't know how many lights there are but it must run into many thousands.

The children of Audlem St James' school paraded to the event and then sang to large crowds on the church steps, including a rendition of 'Amazing Grace' that's been sung by over a thousand residents in the past few weeks for the Mend our Mum campaign.

The big tree in the Square, which was from Geoff and Olive Stretch's garden and was sponsored this year by Norman and Trixie Bonnell to celebrate their 40th Wedding Anniversary, was illuminated to roars of approval. Our thanks to Phil Baker, who also installed the lights, for the photo taken later in the evening.

With a brass band playing Carols, the Festive season was off to a wonderful start, a truly atmospheric night enjoyed by all ages, and blessed by perfect weather for late November.

The shops were open late and many popped in to start gathering gift ideas and meet our local traders. It's the Audlem Traders' Association, FASA (Friends of Audlem School Association), ADAS and the Audlem Lass team (supporting the RNLI), who work together to create this magical event.

There were massive queues for the grotto – with thanks to the kind residents who clear their garage in the village centre and provide the perfect location for Santa to hear what the children would like for Christmas and reward them with a sweet treat.

The result of all that effort is a village that looks a picture, surely one of the best displays for many a mile – and all carried out by local volunteers.


This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.

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