Southport Will Shine this Christmas Photographs by Patrick Trollope.

GETTING in the festive spirit this year at what was hailed the biggest and most entertaining switch on yet. During the afternoon of the 23 November the streets were alive with shoppers and people who had flocked from miles around to see the event that started with local bands and singers, entertaining the crowds and building up a to hand over to a massive procession that snaked its way through the town and along Lord Street. With over 32,000 people joining in, this years lights were switched on by a host of stars from TV to radio, including local girl Aimee Kearsley whose band Clea had jetted in just for the big switch on from Budapest. The other celebrities who pressed the plunger to turn on the lights were; Home and Away’s Ben Steel, CITV’s Danielle Nicholls and local celebrity from Dune FM, John Cooper and the most famous face of all Santa. Also pressing the plunger was Mayor of Sefton, Councillor David Pearson. The event turn on multi coloured lights that eliminate the whole of Lord Street and much of the Town Center. Main organizer and the chap who came up with the idea for the lights campaign, Martin Hovden said:- “This is the best yet and it will just get better as we go on.” Lord Fearn said “The switch on just gets bigger and bigger. We now have the best Christmas lights event in the North West and its all thanks to the Champions Editor Martin Hovden who deserve all the praise.” We would like to also say well done to the Champion for raising the much needed cash for the lights, some of which we contributed to, just like the Midweek Visitor and other local firms and individuals. With out Champions vision five years ago, we would not have such a massive and successful display that continues through out the festive session.  After the big switch on Clea played some of their latest songs to the massive audience and then they stopped for  a quick photo call in side the Arts Center but were swiftly whisked off back to the set of their new video in Budapest. Comments from visitors to the town have all been complimentary, most saying “The lights are nice and add to the corrector of the Town.”

Click above box for pages 1 to 11   All of the pages above are full of photographs.  

SOUTHPORT SHINES Photographs, 11 Pages.

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