Thousands check out Chorley’s Christmas lights

CHORLEY’S festive season got off to a spectacular start on Saturday as thousands of people packed into the town centre to see local singing sensation and star of The Voice UK, Kevin Simm, switch on the town’s Christmas lights.

Organised by Chorley Council, the annual Christmas lights switch on event marked the start of the town’s Christmas events and attractions and saw thousands of people pack into Market Street for a spectacular show hosted by Rock FM.

A trio of local performers from the recent hugely popular Chorley Live, Brian Hobbs, Tabitha Belle, and Connor Banks, opened the show, followed by performances from Birchall, Tiger-S and Myth of Unity, which kept the audience in the party mood.

It was then the turn of The Voice winner and Chorley singing sensation, Kevin Simm who wowed the crowd with a range of songs including Trains and Wildfire from his brand new album. Kevin was then on hand to join the Leader of Chorley Council, Councillor Alistair Bradley, and the Mayor of Chorley, Councillor Doreen Dickinson, to press the official plunger and light up the town.

The evening came to a spectacular end as the town was transformed into a winter wonderland, rounded off with a spectacular fireworks finale from the top of the town hall to start Christmas with a bang.

Councillor Peter Wilson, deputy leader of Chorley Council, said: “The Christmas lights switch on is a great family event to help kick start the Christmas festivities and we’re delighted so many people braved the cold weather to help us celebrate the start of the festive season in town.

“We gave this year’s line-up a real local feel with fantastic acts including a few from this year’s Chorley Live and of course our special guest, Kevin Simm. We wanted to make sure all the family had a fantastic evening’s entertainment and from the feedback we have received people really enjoyed the show.

“It was a brilliant evening and it is only the start of our festive fun with events and attractions taking place every weekend in the run up to Christmas including a 60ft by 40ft  real ice rink as part of Chorley’s Winter Wonderland, which is sure to be a hit with children and adults alike, plus Chorley’s Santa Express.”

Other attractions and activities being held in the run up to Christmas include:

• A special event called Astley Illuminated from 5pm until 10pm on Saturday 26 November, which will see Astley Hall and all of its treasures lit in magnificent LED spotlights. Including performances from the worldwide renowned Spark! Tarleton Brass Band and Trees Alive.
• Chorley’s Santa Express land train and the chance to meet Father Christmas at Astley Hall, every Saturday and Sunday from 3 until 18 December. Tickets for this must be booked in advance at chorley.gov.uk
• Chorley’s Winter Wonderland, featuring the town’s first real ice rink, children’s fairground rides, festive market stalls and covered seating area from Friday 9 December until Sunday 8 January,
• Festive family fun and entertainment in Market Walk and across the town centre every Saturday from 3 until 18 December with joyful face painting, arts and crafts plus festive music and performance.

Councillor Wilson added: “We are pulling out all the stops to create a fantastic festive atmosphere to encourage people to check out Chorley for Christmas.

“With activities planned every weekend, plus free parking after 1pm every Saturday and all day Sunday, we hope Chorley will have another bumper Christmas season.”

For more information on all of these events and attractions, plus details of other Christmas events taking place across the Chorley borough, visit chorley.gov.uk/whatson or pick up or download a copy of the What’s Happening magazine, which is out now.