Community warms to festival

Photo: Picture: Chris Gleave

ROASTING chestnuts, from left, Michelle and Rick Walker and Ruth and Paul Hicklin.

SUB-ZERO temperatures failed to keep revellers away from Heyside Christmas celebrations.

The Christmas festival was packed with attractions to get people into the festive spirit.

Organised by a group of public-spirited Heysiders, Sunday’s festival encouraged people out of their homes and to spend some time together, forging links to boost community spirit.

That was the aim behind the event which saw the village Christmas lights switched on by Oldham’s Mayor, Councillor David Jones.

Father Christmas was there, handing out free gifts to excited children, and there were plenty of roasted chestnuts on an open fire, and spicy mulled wine to keep adults warm.

Carol singing was led by the Church Lads’ and Church Boys’ Brigade band, and the event was rounded off with a concert in the Duke of York.