Ashington's Christmas Light Switch-On Event Draws Hundreds for Spectacular Festive Celebration
The annual Ashington Christmas Light Switch-On event proved to be an outstanding success, with hundreds of residents and visitors gathering to celebrate the start of the festive season. The celebration started at the YMCA on North View and Station Road. The Town Council booked the space to avoid the cancellations of the past, and we brought together an enchanting combination of entertainment, activities, and community spirit.
Love Island star and local business owner Adam Collard had the honour of officially switching on the town's Christmas lights at 6:00pm, marking the highlight of an event-packed evening. The celebration was enhanced by a Lantern Parade and spectacular Toy Parade thanks to Walk the Plank and Animating Ashington. This featured toy soldiers, a fairy, giant robot, Christmas crackers, and a marching band that delighted spectators of all ages, who had the opportunity to see them earlier in the day also.
Bev Ayre, Senior Producer said, "Walk the Plank are delighted to have been commissioned by Northumberland County Council with funding from the North East Combined Authority and the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, to connect with local high street businesses and communities, encouraging them to get involved and reap the benefits of the positive changes taking place in the town centre.
We were pleased to work alongside Sharon, Carla and the town team to bring our Toy Procession to the annual Christmas Light Switch On last week as the first event in the Animating Ashington programme. Our troupe of musical Santas, dancing elves and stilt walking toys brought a smile to the faces of shoppers in Station Road for three performances last Thursday afternoon. We were thrilled with the warm welcome we received from Ashington residents and the appreciative car horn honking which accompanied us around town. For the final outing of the day our toys and elves were joined by the Gladwin Ballet and Stage School who provided twenty-six miniature Toy Soldier performers for a magical performance of Jingle Bells and Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer.
We anticipate over 5000 people joined in the festive fun during the day. Thank you to all the town centre team who assisted us with our first event in this series of ten exciting moments in the Animating Ashington programme. We’re looking forward to working with you again in the new year to bring more colour and fun to the high street and around the town centre and housing estates. Watch out for our next event on 29th and 30th January, a celebration of sound light and special effects. For details of all that’s coming up and to get involved please go to; www.walktheplank.co.uk/animatingashington"
Visitors were able to enjoy performances by local talent including Gladwin’s Ballet and Stage School, and the Ashington and District Male Voice Choir at the YMCA as well as The Show Waddies, providing festive entertainment in the YMCA Lounge. Koast Radio kept shoppers entertained throughout the day with festive tunes, while Paul Skerritt delivered a memorable performance on the main stage just before the switch-on.
The Town Council arranged an impressive array of free activities in the YMCA, facilitated by local community groups and organisations, including Christmas crafts, biscuit decorating, and the all-important lantern making workshop, thanks to the Reiverdale Scout Group. A big thank you to all the groups and organisations involved which included Ashington Swimming Club, Climate Action Wansbeck, Friends of Ashington Community Woods, RVS Social Care, Asda, William Purves Funeral Care, ESCAPE Family Support, Northumberland Family Hubs, Wansbeck Community Links, The Sewing Machine Guy, Northumberland Community Bank, Northumberland Recovery College, Mortal Fools, YMCA, Ashington Running Club, Ashington Veterans & Elders Institute, Wansbeck Valley Food Bank, Ashington Sea Cadets, Pride Action North and the Full Circle Food Project offered various festive activities that kept families engaged throughout the event.
Sarah Breden-Kemp from the Full Circle Food Project said, "It was a brilliant event, thoroughly well organised and the vibe was buzzing! It felt really special to be a part of it; well done for another excellent community event and please pass on our thanks to the whole ATC team for making it happen!"
Local businesses participated enthusiastically, with many shops extending their opening hours for the occasion. The event also marked the beginning of the town's Christmas Trail, which will continue through the festive season, this features over 20 participating shops across Station Road, Woodhorn Road, Lintonville Terrace, and North Seaton Road. You can find out more by clicking here.
Civic Head Cllr Caroline Ball, comments; “An amazing night for Ashington, the light switch on was made magical by the support of the residents, businesses, and community groups. A huge thank you to everyone involved and I’m excited to see future partnerships with the team from Walk the Plank. I say it time and time again Ashington is a great place to live with the best community and has an exciting few years ahead".
Photography by Roy Smith from Ashington Camera Club
Video by Jimmy France Luk Luk Productions
Ashington Christmas Light Switch On 2024
