Dianne Oxberry Helped Sale Moor Sparkle at the 2016 Switch On Event
With the sound of the Salvation Army brass band and the smells of mince pies and mulled wine, Sale Moor was certainly the place to be this Sunday for their Christmas Lights switch on.
From 5.30 onwards, the Warrener Street car park was alive with music, food, drinks and merriment. Excited children (and some grown-ups) eagerly greeted Father Christmas and the local residents were excited to welcome BBC North West Tonight’s Dianne Oxberry to perform the honour of switching on the lights. The Mayor of Trafford and local Councillors were also in attendance.
From 5.30 onwards, the Warrener Street car park was alive with music, food, drinks and merriment. Excited children (and some grown-ups) eagerly greeted Father Christmas and the local residents were excited to welcome BBC North West Tonight’s Dianne Oxberry to perform the honour of switching on the lights. The Mayor of Trafford and local Councillors were also in attendance.
Despite a few issues with the power supply being cut shortly before the switch on was due, the crowds of around 600 or so people were in good cheer. Thankfully power was restored in time for the speeches and switch on. We Are Sale Moor Chairwoman Anna Bond introduced the Mayor of Trafford, Councillor Judith Llloyd who congratulated the community volunteers for their hard work, saying “volunteers are the backbone of our society”. The Mayor then handed over to Dianne, who was amazed at the number of people who had turned up to support then event, saying “this is a true celebration of this community and has proven you can do anything you put your mind to”.
This is the gift that keeps on giving, other communities will follow your lead |
The event was extra special as the community have raised the funds for the Christmas Lights themselves, with pledges via a Crowdfunder campaign, collection boxes in local shops and donations from local traders. The ‘We Are Sale Moor’ community group of volunteers organised the switch on event as a way of saying thanks to everyone who has supported the campaign and to bring the community together.
Local residents Julie and Kevin Fitzpatrick brought their two children to the event. She said “It’s so lovely to have lights in the village again this year after going without last year, and to have our first community organised switch on event is just brilliant! I’ve never seen this many people come together in Sale Moor, it’s incredible!” |
We Are Sale Moor chair Anna Bond is also pleased with the huge turnout “Our group of volunteers have worked really hard the last couple of months to raise the money and organise this event for our community. The local residents and business owners have been incredibly supportive and generous and we’re really happy this event has been such a success.”
Volunteer Christine Houlding added “This was our first attempt at doing anything like this and we did it all in less than 3 months. The turnout has exceeded our expectations, but next year we’ll be better prepared and start the planning in January!”
Volunteer Christine Houlding added “This was our first attempt at doing anything like this and we did it all in less than 3 months. The turnout has exceeded our expectations, but next year we’ll be better prepared and start the planning in January!”
If anyone would like to know more about activities and events in Sale Moor or plans for the future of the Warrener Street car park, you are invited to go along to the Legh Arms on 7th December at 7:30pm for the next public meeting. Alternatively, you can contact us via our contact page.