TURN on, tune in... and watch Barnard Castle’s Christmas tree lights being switched on this week.
With the town placed in Tier 3 Covid-19 restrictions, organisers knew there was no possibility of the traditional tree lighting ceremony being held – an event which usually attracts hundreds of people.
So a scaled back switch-on was organised last week and filmed for broadcast this Friday evening (December 4), the day when the ceremony would have been held.
It was jointly staged by the town council and the Christmas Lights committee and filmed by Howell Film.
Those tuning in on Friday will see Cllr Ian Kirkbride, who also doubles as the town crier, welcome people to the ceremony after which the lights are switched on. He is then joined by wife Susan, along with Emily Backes and daughter Florence, 12, Charlotte Perkins and John Trevett to sing a selection of carols, including Ding Dong Merrily on High and O Come All Ye Faithful. Musical accompaniment is provided by Andrew Nicholson on flugelhorn.
The ceremony will be streamed on the Barnard Castle Christmas Lights website www.barneylights.com at 6.20pm, where supporters can also make a donation to the group if desired.
