Brighter Christmas for villages

K lights will sparkle in more villages this year with funding from the Saddleworth and Lees District Partnership.

New lights will be switched on in Springhead, Greenfield and Diggle. The switch-ons begin in Greenfield tomorrow at 6.30pm with school choirs and a band.

Springhead lights are up and running near the post office on Friday at 7pm. Oldham Band (Lees) Youth Band will lead the carols, the switch-on is by Father Christmas and there are refreshments at Springhead Community Centre, Ashes Lane.

Saturday is the turn of Lees, Uppermill and Delph. Lees lights go on at 4pm, at the junction of Mellor Street and High Street, again with Oldham Band (Lees) Youth Band, Father Christmas plus other attractions in the Lees Library community hub.

Uppermill lights up at 4pm and then Santa and his helpers parade to the Square for carols followed by fireworks at 5.30pm.

Delph has Oldham Scottish Pipe Band helping out at the 5.30pm switch on, when Delph Band will play carols, Father Christmas will be in his grotto. There will also be an ice rink and fireworks finale.

Sunday is Diggle’s turn at 4.30pm, with a village carol service at the Village Green opposite the Chippy. Diggle School Choir and Brass Band will be there as well as Diggle B Band. Other attractions include a Christmas sweet shop and mulled wine.