Olympian Nile Wilson was on hand to turn on the Christmas lights in Farsley as hundreds gathered at the popular annual celebration.
Nile, who attended Fairfield School as a child, was joined by Ronnie the Rhino at the big switch on, writes JILL BUCKLEY.
The event is one of the oldest in Leeds, having been going for 34 years, and this year’s is thought to have been the biggest yet.
John Procter, who has been involved from the start, is one of the small band of organisers:
“We try and have a strong community spirit in the village and it proved so with the increasing numbers attending. There was a message from one person on Facebook about how he had come over from Liverpool for it as he had been here the previous year and even joined in the parade.
“It is all about bringing the community of all generations from our more senior members to our young together in an inter generation event plus promoting what Farsley has to offer. “
The team posted their gratitude on Facebook after the event thanking everyone involved in making the evening a success.
The event was very well received by the local community.
Rob Norris on Facebook group ‘Farsley Village Community Website‘ commented:
“I thought the community choir conducted by Jen sounded fabulous, my youngest daughter loved the singing!!!”
Claire Gillibrand said:
“It was fantastic. Massive thank you to all who organised it. Made us feel really part of a community.”
Carroll Frost was also impressed:
“What a fantastic night! Well done to all of the organisers and businesses, it must be so difficult to pull off such a fantastic night and lots of planning and preparation months before! Looking forward to next year’s already!”
Local business also got involved with festive window dressing and a panel of judges declared the winner to be The Farsley Wine Bar, with the runners up prize going to Adrienne’s Florists.
Local resident Si Cliff took the fantastic photos which accompany this article.
Farsley Christmas events
Farsley Village Singers also performed at the lights switch on – and if you enjoyed their performance they will be holding a concert in St John’s Church on Friday 9th December at 7.30pm.
Tickets, available from the library or on the door on the night, are £3 or £10 for a family ticket, including refreshments. All proceeds are going to Leeds Children’s Hospital.
Before that though the festivities in Farsley continue apace this weekend. On Saturday St John’s are holding their Christmas Fair between 10am and 1pm; stalls including tombola, pick a bottle, white elephant, cakes, books, crafts toys and home made chocolates. Children can meet Santa at 11am and midday.
Santa will then be making his way to his grotto at the Christmas Market at the Rainbow Factory, open between 12pm and 5pm. And Elsa will be there too for a special visit. There will be a variety of stalls for £2 entry, with a £3 charge to see Santa in his grotto.
And on Sunday there’s the Farsley Village Big Christmas Sing at Farsley Community Church at 3pm. There is no charge for entry and afternoon tea is provided but donations to St Martins Hospice would be much appreciated. The organisers promise “all your favourite carols, Christmas songs and we will be joined by the group Vision who will provide their songs too”.