Towns ready for Christmas lights (From Witney Gazette)

Towns ready for Christmas lights

9:00am Wednesday 22nd November 2006 in Witney By Rosalind Miles

TOWNS around West Oxfordshire are to be lit up for Christmas. Witney's Christmas lights are to be switched on on Friday, December 1, by David Cameron MP, and the Central News crew will make their last broadcast from the event, before moving from the county. Mayor, Chrissie Curry, said: "We are very excited about having Wesley and all the presenters broadcast from Witney for their last time. It's a major coup for the town, and it will be a really special night." There will be a snow machine, an opportunity to meet Father Christmas, a Christmas fayre, carol singing, children's fair, and a Christmas parade in Witney Market Square from 6pm. The Witney Area Fair Trade Action Group (WAFTAG) will have a stall outside Oxfam, promoting ethical and alternative Christmas gifts. Ms Curry is to give a Christmas message to Witney through the community radio station JustOxfordshire, on 87.9FM, on Wednesday, November 29. The new JustOxfordshire station, which covers Witney and the surrounding areas, starts its third trial broadcast on November 29. Woodstock's Christmas lights will be turned on by the town mayor, Colin Carritt, on Saturday, November 25, at 6pm, in the town square. There will be a bagpipe chorus to open the event, and the town square will be lit with candles. Carols will be sung in the town square by the Marlborough School Choir, accompanied by the Witney Brass Band, and the Marlborough School Choir will then walk the town with candles. Mulled wine and chestnuts will be dispensed in the town square, and retailers will stay open late for a truly unforgettable shopping by candlelight experience. To coincide with the Christmas lights being turned on, Iona House's Winter Exhibition, in Woodstock, also starts. Blenheim Palace will open its doors and welcome visitors to enjoy the palace, dressed as a winter wonderland for Christmas, until December 10, Wednesday to Saturday inclusive. * UP-AND-COMING England football player Theo Walcott is to switch on Carterton's Christmas lights.

Theo, the grandson of Joe Walcott, the former chairman of West Oxfordshire District Council and ex-Carterton town mayor, is to be the special guest at the ceremony on Monday, November 27.

The 17-year-old Arsenal player was a reserve for England in the World Cup in the summer.

Mr Walcott, of Queens Road, Carterton, said: "We are very proud of Theo, and we love him very much. We are delighted he's coming to switch on the Christmas lights.

"He's going to meet all the youngsters at the town hall and sign autographs. Theo is very relaxed, he doesn't want a big fuss. He just wants to do the job. Then he will come for dinner with us, then he'll be off because he has training the next day."

A street fair will be held in Carterton town centre from 5.30pm. The lights will be switched on at 6pm, and there will be fireworks. Alvescot Road closed from 4 pm to 8 pm.

"It is a real privilege to welcome Theo to Carterton. He is an excellent role model for youngster, and I am delighted he has agreed to meet a group of some 50 or so local schoolchildren."

Mayor of Carterton, Phil Scott

Mayor of Carterton, Phil Scott, said: "It is a real privilege to welcome Theo to Carterton. He is an excellent role model for youngster, and I am delighted he has agreed to meet a group of some 50 or so local schoolchildren. I know that there is a lot of excitement building in the town, and I am sure that many people will turn out to greet him."

Seven pupils from each of the local schools are to meet Theo.

Sue Tomkys, head of St Joseph's Primary School, Carterton, said: "I think it's an exciting opportunity for the children to see how practising hard to develop skills can open all sorts of opportunities.

"He's a good example for them. He shows them how what you do when you are younger can lead to a career in the future. Everyone can aspire to being something special."