Thousands turn out for Chorley’s Christmas crackers

THOUSANDS of people flocked to Chorley this Christmas to enjoy the seasonal attractions and make it one of the town’s best festive periods yet.

Despite the extremely wet weather over the last few months, over 22,000 people attended the various Christmas attractions organised by Chorley Council including:

• Around 5,000 people cheering on Coronation Street actor Sean Ward and X Factor’s at Chorley’s Christmas lights switch on event on Saturday 14 November
• 4,732 people enjoying the spectacular light show at Astley Hall’s Astley Illuminated on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November
• 1,900 families hopping aboard Chorley’s Santa Express to see Father Christmas at Astley Hall
•  10,800 taking a scenic spin above the rooftops on Chorley’s GIANT festive Ferris wheel, including 444 people using time credits, which they had earned by volunteering in the Chorley borough

Additionally, nearly 300 people attended a special pantomime showing of Jack and the Beanstalk in Chorley town hall on Sunday 29 November and hundreds of children made festive keepsakes, had their faces painted and enjoyed Christmas bands and choirs in and around Market Walk every Saturday in the run up to Christmas.

Chorley Council kick started the festivities with the annual Christmas lights switch on in November with local talent performances and television celebrities attending. With a show from X Factor singer Misha B and Coronation Street star Callum Logan pushing the famous plunger for the big finale, the big Chorley event finished with an unannounced firework display on the Town Hall as the clock struck 6pm.

December then rolled in with Chorley’s Santa Express, which took families through Astley Park and to Astley Hall to meet Father Christmas and receive a special gift from him.
Market Walk also held a range of activities and entertainment over the holiday weekends including arts and crafts, face painting, gift wrapping services and choir singers which attracted people from larger towns such as Blackburn and Wigan.
Friday 11 December with the opening of Chorley’s GIANT Ferris wheel appearing on the Flat Iron car park for a second year. The Ferris wheel created a winter wonderland in the heart of the town, with its own Christmas market stalls at the foot of the wheel serving traditional warm festive food and drink adding to the experience.

Councillor Peter Wilson, who has responsibility for events and the town centre at Chorley Council said: “Christmas in Chorley gets bigger and better every year and we would like to thank everyone who braved the terrible weather and came into Chorley to enjoy the town’s festive attractions.”

“Our of our main priorities is to boost the local economy and organising events and attractions such as the Ferris wheel and Chorley’s Santa Express provides great entertainment for local people but it also attracts visitors from other towns with many of them saying they will return again.

“We’ve had lots of positive feedback about Chorley’s Christmas attractions and we think it’s important to continue to deliver these events.  We also continue to listen to people’s views on how we can improve and in December we opened a new car park on Cleveland Street offering free parking for up to three hours to help tackle any parking issues. 

“The council is working closely with businesses in and around the town centre to look at further ways we can attract visitors and shoppers to Chorley.  We have numerous events planned for 2016 including the Chorley Grand Prix at the end of March, Picnic in the Park, the Chorley Flower Show, Chorley Live and even more family activities in Market Walk, which proved to be a real hit last year.  The message we are giving out is for people to check out Chorley and see what we have to offer.”

To keep up to date with what’s happening in and around Chorley, pick up or download a copy of the latest edition of the What’s Happening magazine at chorley.gov.uk like Chorley Council on Facebook or follow @ChorleyCouncil.