Sunday 2nd December saw the annual switching on of the Christmas Lights in Great Shelford. This year the Great Shelford Parish Council teamed up with the Shelford School PTA and Playscape committees to host a bigger and better event than ever before. It proved to be a great success, with hundreds of local people coming along to the Memorial Hall and carpark to mark the start of the festive season. The evening raised an impressive sum of over £4,500 for local causes and feedback has been very positive.
The event kicked off with the Cambridge University Steel Pan Society (CUSP) bringing a little bit of the Caribbean to the British winter as they entertained the crowd with some Christmas Classics! The Memorial Hall hosted a bustling Christmas market with local sellers bringing a wide range of wonderful products including jewellery, homewares, artisan preserves, local beer and much more! Outside, the car park was closed to vehicles and provided a fantastic space to host the children’s carousel, a selection of Christmas themed games, a fabulous hamper raffle, tombolas, BBQ, beer and gin bar and of course mulled wine and mince pies!
The lights were switched on at 5.45pm by Abigail Pearce and William Cousins, Head Girl and Boy at Shelford School before a lovely rendition of ‘Winter Wonderland’ and ‘Christmas on the Beach at Waikiki’ by the Shelford School Choir. Then it was time for everyone to join together in for for some carol singing by lantern light. The evening was finished off with a festive performance from CSD Brass Band.
We would like to thank everyone who organised the event, helped on the day and turned up to support it. Generous sponsorship was provided by Redmayne Arnold & Harris, Day Accountants, Gatward & Sons, Pinkster Gin and Moonshine Brewery. Jim Rayment assisted with electrics on the day and two local carpenters, Simon Sparrow and Rolando Pincay did a brilliant job of building outdoor games and mobile bars. Barker Bros provided the meat for the BBQ and Days of Ashwell supplied rolls. Lucy Barlow led the school choir and carol singing. Simon Talbott did a great job of compering and the parents of Shelford School together with other local volunteers did a magnificent job of running all the activities. Plans are already underway for next year!