By Helen Garrand
Bramley Community Events is excited to announce the Bramley Christmas Lights Switch On 2024.
This festive event, run in association with Breeze, will take place on Friday, 29th November. From 3pm the side stalls and grotto start, and the main stage runs 5pm to 7pm at Bramley Shopping Centre.
This year’s event is dedicated to bringing the community together in peace and harmony while raising awareness of special needs. The celebration will break down barriers by showcasing the achievements of individuals with special needs.
Guest celebrity is George Webster, a 24-year-old BAFTA award-winning TV presenter, actor, dancer, author, and charity ambassador. He made history as the first person with Down Syndrome to become a presenter on the BBC, becoming a favourite on CBeebies.
George has achieved many of his dreams, including dancing on Strictly Come Dancing, acting on stages in the UK and France, appearing in his favourite TV shows, and winning a best actor award for his lead role in S.A.M. He has been recognised among the top 20 TV presenters by the Radio Times, the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100, and as the young person of the year in his native Yorkshire.
George firmly believes that we are all special and unique, with a glow inside each of us. He lives in Leeds and loves his life.
He said: “I’m super excited to switch the Christmas Lights on in Bramley. It’s going to be so much fun. I can’t wait to see all the fireworks and everyone enjoying themselves. I love Christmas and it’s going to be so festive. I’m in the CBeebies Panto which will be in cinemas from next Saturday, 23 November.”
The event will also feature the inspiring Aaryan Mitra, a seven-year-old autistic boy who swam 1500m at Bramley Baths, raising money for Children in Need.
Local school choirs, including students from Milestone School for special needs, will perform. there will be a First Bus Double Decker Santa’s Grotto, run by the Bramley Care Bears. For £5 a child children will get to see Santa and get a present.
Host will be Maxine Wade, who is is a local comedian and writer. Acts include Bramley Youth Brass Band, St Peter’s school choir, Milestones choir and a performance by Star Theatre. Personal trainer Jamie T will do a Christmas work out with the audience. Dazl dance troop will also perform, as will Lois Tunnicliffe who is a walk about stilt walker and performing on stage.
There will also be side stalls. The event will finish with a fireworks display.
Organisers have been able to put on this event with the support of sponsors: Inner West Community Committee, First Bus, Tesco, Leeds Bradford Airport, Veezu Taxis, Costa Coffee, Bramley Baths, Halfway House Public House, Ems Workwear, Mr Window Cleaner, and Trojan Facilities Management, Clean Beez, Carpet Corner, Full Circle Funerals, Petmates and Yorkshire Clothing Vault, Quarmby Colour Printers, Cooplands Bakery, Pizza Hut and Lizzies Café Crafty Lil Hands Love from Yorkshire.
For more information Contact: Bramley Community Events Email: bramleylights@gmail.com or check out our Bramley Community Events Facebook page.
WHY have NOISY fireworks? Or PLEASE post a notice through the door to everyone in Bramley in advance?
My cats are now terrified, and my anxiety is through the roof! If I’d known in advance, I’d have had music on to help, but no – out of the blue – it suddenly sounds like we’re being shelled!
Use the noiseless ones in future PLEASE!!!
I sincerely appreciate everything that is done for Bramley, to keep the community strong, but we really DON’T need fireworks at every event!