Santa Claus has come to town!
Reporter: Marina Berry. Pictures: Chris Sunderland
Date published: 10 November 2008
THE countdown to Christmas and the start of Oldham’s festivities was heralded on Saturday with the arrival of Santa on a sleigh drawn by his team of trusty reindeer.
The merry entourage rode into town amid cheering from thousands of children and their parents who gathered in the town centre to greet them.
The event is a firm favourite in the festive calendar, and Father Christmas was surrounded by youngsters eager to tell him what presents they want as he took up residence in his grotto in the Spindles shopping centre.
An excited Megan Ryan (5), of Grotton, said: “I’m going to see him, but I don’t know what I’m going to ask him for.”
And Ben Slipper (5), of Denbydale Way, Royton, said after the parade: “I liked Santa Claus and his reindeer the best.”
Tension mounted as the time for Father Christmas’s arrival approached, and youngsters craned their necks shouting “is he coming yet?” as they strained to get the best views.
Street entertainers and clowns on everything from stilts to mono-cycles paraded the streets handing out paper antlers to youngsters who could hardly contain their excitement.
Oldham Scottish Pipe Band led the festive parade, followed by storybook characters and special guest The Snowman in a white Rolls Royce, the New Orleans Jazz Band and Adamson’s Military Band from Dukinfield.
Elves on ponies had the important task of gathering letters from children lining the streets to pass on to Father Christmas.
And he was given a civic escort by the Mayor and Mayoress of Oldham, Councillor Shoab Akhtar and Shafeena Kausar, who also rode in a white Rolls Royce.
The Snowman, made famous in the Raymond Briggs books, was almost as popular as Father Christmas, as star-struck children rushed to say hello.
He was among a host of timeless Christmas characters who danced into town to announce the start of Oldham’s seasonal festivities.
Noddy will light fuse for fireworks special
CHILDREN’S favourite Noddy will light up the town when he flicks the switch to turn on Oldham’s Christmas lights.
The Enid Blyton character will take to the stage during a day of fun, frolics and fireworks on Sunday.
Noddy will join the Mayor of Oldham, Councillor Shoab Akhtar, to switch on the town centre’s festive display which features new lights this year.
The switch-on has been moved from its traditional Thursday slot to Sunday in a bid to attract more families.
As well as Noddy, revellers can enjoy performances by the Wally MacKenzie Dance Band and young singing talent Tom Spence.
Father Christmas will be on hand to take present requests and the event, which starts at 5.20pm next to the war memorial in Yorkshire Street, will be hosted by Mark Llewellin and Jane Hodson.
Town-centre manager Mark Lester said: “The Oldham town centre Christmas lights switch-on has become a traditional fixture and a favourite with the public over many years.
“We very much want its appeal to continue as we make the move to it becoming an early Sunday evening event instead of Thursday. By doing so we hope to attract more families.”
Further details about the switch-on and fireworks event and all the festive events taking place in Oldham Town Centre this Christmas can be found at www.visitoldham.co.uk
