By Andy Hirst
Slaithwaite is set to have a bumper event-packed day in the run-up to its Christmas lights switch-on.
The tree will be lit in the village centre at 5pm on Saturday, December 3, with fireworks and an after party at Slaithwaite Fire Station on New Street.
Father Christmas will be leading the procession there with proceeds from the event going to The Firefighters Charity and Slaithwaite Christmas Lights.
But the fun starts from 10am that day and here are highlights from the line-up.
The Two Gates Christmas Fair at Slaithwaite Community Centre runs from 11am to 3pm and will feature 20 stalls and games along with a Father Christmas grotto.
A Christmas Tree Festival at St James’ Church is open from 10am to 6pm and will feature Christmas craft stalls with music from Slaithwaite Brass Band.
The Globe Arts Christmas Market will feature an open studio with arty fun from 11am to 8pm.
The Clay Mill will have an open day from 1pm to 5pm and a pottery sale will raise money for Colne Valley Help which is based at Slaithwaite Fire Station and runs two food share scheme – one in Slaithwaite and the other in Longwood – where people can turn up to collect essentials such as food or toiletries that have been donated or are surplus supermarket stock.
The Northern Sole street food café is hosting a Christmas market and live music.
The Christmas tree is opposite the Shoulder of Mutton pub with people expected to gather from 4pm.
Organiser Richard Izzard said: “There has never been a more important time to support local shopping so please come along, enjoy all the entertainments and explore the brilliant independent shops we have in Slaithwaite.
“The lights have been sponsored by local businesses and you’ll see their names on the lamp-posts. Thanks also to all the volunteers who have helped to put the lights up, tested them and will be stewards on the day. It’s been a great community effort once again.”
Copyright for this story belongs to freelance journalist ANDY HIRST who runs his own Yorkshire agency AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/) specialising in stories for the media, press releases, blogging, copywriting, scriptwriting and applying for awards.
