PRESS RELEASE
Thornton Christmas Light Switch On
Nag’s Head Pub Car Park, Green Lane, opposite Thornton Village Green
3 December 2021 6.00pm – 6.45pm
On Friday 3 December 2021 Thornton Parish Council was delighted to hold Thornton’s biggest-yet Annual Christmas Light Switch On at the car park of the Nag’s Head, Green Lane opposite the Village Green. The switch on was the first since 2019 as last year there was no switch on to celebrate the beginning of the festive season due Covid-19 restrictions.
At 6.00pm crowds of upwards of 300 people of all ages gathered to join in the Christmas fun. Entertainment was provided by music from the Strung Together Ukulele Band, dancing from Crosby-based dance school Carmen Maria Academy and carol singing led by members of the Thornton Community Choir. Crowds were also entertained by a visit from Santa and the Crosby Rotary Club’s Santa Float as well as Shy Lowen Horse and Pony Sanctuary’s very own Christmas horse, Rolo. Rimrose Valley Friends also came along to join in with the festivities and had their locally produced calendars for 2022 available to buy.
The Mayor of Sefton Councillor Clare Carragher joined the celebrations in time for the big switch on and, along with Sefton Central MP Bill Esterson and Thornton Parish Council Chair, Councillor Bob McGill, watched on as Debi Jones did the countdown for Thornton’s special guest of honour, Lily, who pressed the big red button to officially switch the lights on. Lily, aged 4, has had a very difficult year. She also is involved with local charity An Hour For Others that works to build communities through unity, kindness and compassion.
James O’Keeffe, Vice Chair of Thornton Parish Council: “Thornton Parish Council were delighted to bring this community festive event back after its absence last year. What a fantastic way to start the Christmas season, with amazing contributions provided by Strung Together Ukulele Band, Carmen Maria Academy of Dance, carols led by Thornton Community Choir, Santa with the Rotary Club of Crosby and of course Rolo, Shy Lowen’s Christmas horse who loved meeting his fans! Everybody enjoyed the Switch on which proved to be a heart-warming event for everyone, young and old. The attendance of so many members of the community reminds us how important events like this really are to the people of Thornton and the feedback we’ve received from attendees has all been overwhelmingly positive. We were so pleased to welcome the Mayor of Sefton to our event and it was truly a privilege to have as Thornton’s Special Guest of Honour Lily: an incredible young girl who has had a difficult time this year. She’s a real superstar and did a great job turning on the lights. It was a truly community-wide event and we’re so grateful to the Nag’s Head pub who kindly allowed the use of their car park to host the event. Not forgetting the members of the public who came along to help celebrate. Thanks to every single person who attended and helped to make it such a memorable occasion.”
Thornton only had its first Christmas tree in 2016 and in 2018 Thornton was one of the places in Sefton to plant a living tree to be used for Christmas celebrations every year. Alongside the Christmas Tree lights being switched on, Thornton also welcomed the return of the special Nativity Scene that was made locally for the benefit of the community by local residents Alec Kelly and Ged Moyles.