Leigh Park is lit up as Christmas lights switch-on marks start of festive season

FESTIVE spirit was in the air as the Christmas lights were turned on at the big Leigh Park switch-on at the Greywell Shopping Centre.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th Nov 2016, 22:09 BST
Updated 29th Nov 2016, 10:30 BST
The Trizinski family, Elijah, nine, Gideon, 12, mum Eloise, and Joy, seven. Picture Ian Hargreaves (161338-4)The Trizinski family, Elijah, nine, Gideon, 12, mum Eloise, and Joy, seven. Picture Ian Hargreaves (161338-4)
The Trizinski family, Elijah, nine, Gideon, 12, mum Eloise, and Joy, seven. Picture Ian Hargreaves (161338-4)

A parade of lanterns, elves and Santa Claus led about 70 people through the precinct to two big switch-ons by Tesco Metro and by Leigh Park Library.

The build-up to the switch-on’s saw Christmas carols such as Silent Night sung by the Bethal Evangleical Church choir with a Santa’s Grotto also open for children to soak up the Christmas spirit.

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The grotto, based in an empty unit in the centre, is a colourful display featuring Father Christmas himself, polar bears, elves, reindeer and snowmen.

Mayor of Havant Councillor Faith Ponsonby and Father Christmas and children around the tree Picture: Ian Hargreaves (161338-10)Mayor of Havant Councillor Faith Ponsonby and Father Christmas and children around the tree Picture: Ian Hargreaves (161338-10)
Mayor of Havant Councillor Faith Ponsonby and Father Christmas and children around the tree Picture: Ian Hargreaves (161338-10)

Cassie Tate, from Leigh Park brought daughter Holly, seven, to the event.

She said: ‘We wanted to come down and get into the Christmas spirit.

‘There’s not much around here when it comes to Christmas events like this so we really wanted to come down tonight and make the most of it.

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‘It is nice to see so many of the local community coming down to support it.’

Archie, seven, and Ava Street, six, from Leigh Park Picture: Ian Hargreaves (161338-6)Archie, seven, and Ava Street, six, from Leigh Park Picture: Ian Hargreaves (161338-6)
Archie, seven, and Ava Street, six, from Leigh Park Picture: Ian Hargreaves (161338-6)

Holly added: ‘I’m a big fan of Christmas so I wanted to see the lights because it feels like it is not too far away now.’

Claire Graham, also of Leigh Park, brought along her children, Connor, nine, and Luke, six, to the event for the first time.

She said: ‘It’s such a lovely time of year and events like this are great for children as Christmas is always something kids will look forward to, so it makes nights like this worth it.

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‘I think the lights look great and it’s good that everybody’s here to see them switched on.’

From left, Payton Price, five, her brother Joey Price, seven, Father Christmas, Lacie-Mai Stray, two, and Olivia Stevens, five Picture: Ian Hargreaves (161338-13)From left, Payton Price, five, her brother Joey Price, seven, Father Christmas, Lacie-Mai Stray, two, and Olivia Stevens, five Picture: Ian Hargreaves (161338-13)
From left, Payton Price, five, her brother Joey Price, seven, Father Christmas, Lacie-Mai Stray, two, and Olivia Stevens, five Picture: Ian Hargreaves (161338-13)

Julie Clark, from the Southern Co-operative, who donated a tree towards the grotto said: ‘The grotto and the lights are looking absolutely beautiful.

‘It is great to be in this time of year again as it all looks amazing and I hope families can really enjoy them.’

She brought along her grandson, Travis Fay, five, to the event.

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Travis said: ‘It’s been great. It makes me really want Christmas to come sooner.’

Havant’s mayor, Councillor Faith Ponsonby said: ‘Events like this are the perfect ways for families to get into the Christmas spirit and have a good time. A lot of work goes into making this happen.’