THATCHAM CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON

I was invited, with Edwina Cooper the Mayoress, to attend the Christmas lights switch on in Thatcham on 7 December. We arrived at around 5. 15 p.m. and parked up in the Waitrose car park and walked through to the Broadway where stalls had already been erected and were doing good business. We walked around to get the atmosphere and went for a hot cup of tea before going to the HSBC Bank for a glass of wine and a mince pie. We had just missed the Mayor and his company so we then went out to catch up with them. With the Cold Ash Brass Band playing in the background, we walked around the stalls. One was run by the Royal British Legion supporting SSAFA so we stopped and had a glass of non-alcoholic mulled wine. It was hot as well as being delicious. It certainly warmed us up. By this time, the crowds were beginning to swell in numbers and it became difficult to move around. Over the next half hour, we listened to the singing, of mainly carols, from school children from Parsons Down, Trinity and Kennet before the Mayor, Phil Dray, gave his Christmas message followed by the countdown for the lights to be switched on.
It was a very happy occasion and it was obvious that the children loved it all. And it did not rain!