Lights fantastic!
Date published: 22 November 2010
Photo: Picture: CHRIS SUNDERLAND
A SPECTACULAR firework display filled the night sky as record crowds watched the Oldham Christmas lights switch-on.
VIP (Very Important Pig) Peppa switches on illuminations RECORD-BREAKING crowds braved icy winds to see a VIP switch on Oldham’s Christmas lights.
TV star Peppa Pig flicked the switch to illuminate the town centre yesterday in front of 10,000 revellers — the biggest ever crowd.
Families packed the High Street to enjoy a stage show hosted by Mark Llewellin and Jane Hodson with a special visit from Father Christmas.
Gifted youngsters from Oldham Music Service played traditional carols before singer Rebecca Fox joined them for a rousing rendition of “Jingle Bells” and Tom Spence treated the crowd to a trio of tunes against a backdrop of photographs of Oldham’s past, present and future on two giant screens.
The action-packed show culminated with a spectacular firework display which filled the sky over Oldham Parish Church, which is gearing up to celebrate its 180th birthday, as songs by famous Oldhamers, including the Inspiral Carpets and Take That, were belted out.
The dazzling lights, which line the High Street and Yorkshire Street, are switched on at 3pm every day.
Co-host and artistic director Mark Llewellin said: “Peppa has a huge following and we certainly saw that last night with a record-breaking turn-out.
“She told the crowds that she had enjoyed visiting Oldham and she’d met lots of children in the Spindles Town Square earlier in the afternoon when she made a surprise appearance on the malls.
“The theme of the evening was Oldham past, present and future with songs and images reflecting Oldham’s history and plans for the future.”
The next event on Oldham’s Christmas calendar is Santa’s Festive Village and Ice Rink which runs from December 4-19.
