Christmas lights switched on (From Community Newsgroup)

Christmas lights switched on

11:44am Thursday 27th November 2008

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THE East Cheshire Hospice Light Up a Life Christmas Tree has been switched on for 2008, a 45-foot festive landmark in Macclesfield’s Market Place.

The Mayor of the Borough of Macclesfield, Councillor Thelma Jackson was joined by town MP Sir Nick Winterton for the ceremony last Saturday.

The switch-on, organised by Macclesfield Borough Council, was compered by Nick Wright of Canalside Community Radio who introduced carols from the East Cheshire Hospice choir, Claritas.

Light Up a Life is a national initiative by hospices, and Macclesfield is one of 200 ceremonies. There are other local ones at Congleton and Knutsford.

The Macclesfield tree is a noble fir from Macclesfield Forest.

The event followed an all-day Christmas Fair for the Hospice inside Macclesfield Town Hall, in which a family won the top prize of a car in a Hospice prize draw.

Sir Nick said: “We mustn’t forget why we are here today. The Hospice does wonderful work and the fair is an important occasion. I have just made the draw for the car this afternoon and I am delighted to say it has been won by a local family.”

In a rallying call to town centre traders, Sir Nick said: “I will also make it my mission to see that Macclesfield gets a much more outstanding display of Christmas lights down Chestergate and Mill Street in future. We want to make Macclesfield proud.

“Let us look forward to Christmas despite all the problems we’re currently having, and I wish you all a wonderful time.”

Pictures, from left: Claritas lead the carols; Megan Beard, aged seven and Brendan Fenton aged four, enjoy the celebrations; Roger Payne, Hospice chairman, with the mayor and Sir Nick Winterton

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