Hailsham Christmas Lights Switch-on Hailed a Resounding Success

Hailsham was full of festive cheer on Friday [29 November] as the annual Christmas light switch-on spectacular attracted hundreds to the town centre.

Residents and visitors were delighted to see a spectacular show in Vicarage Field with festive entertainment in addition to the big switch-on itself, which saw the town centre transformed into a winter wonderland of twinkling Christmas lights.

Pupils from Hailsham Community College and Hailsham Primary Academy provided carol singing before the official switch-on and Santa was also in attendance – courtesy of Hailsham Rotary Club – handing out sweets to children. Hailsham FM were broadcasting live and played popular Christmas tunes at the event.

There was a wide range of market stalls selling Christmas gifts, handmade goods, accessories, fine food and other items, plus Hailsham Lions was in attendance selling roasted chestnuts, candy floss and mulled wine.

Activity stalls include those provided by the Raystede Animal Charity, Hailsham Foodbank and Hailsham Air Cadets, which also organised a chocolate tombola. If that wasn’t enough, there were various other activities for children, including face-painting and a ‘racing pigs’ game.

Following the Christmas Lights switch-on at 6pm, Hailsham Parish Church was open to the public to give a warm welcome and served free hot chocolate with marshmallows.

As well as being funded by the Town Council, this year’s Christmas Light Switch-on event was kindly supported by Wealden District Council and the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Town Mayor Councillor Paul Holbrook, who pressed the button to officially switch on the lights said: “Hailsham’s Christmas Lights Switch-on is one of the town’s biggest events I hope the tree and town centre lighting helps create a lovely atmosphere in Hailsham, giving festive cheer to both residents and visitors to the town.”

“The Town Council always ensures that the Christmas activities it organises are fun and open to all, and the switch-on was no exception to this. It was an enjoyable event and a big success for all concerned.”

The success of the Switch-on event, according to Councillor Holbrook was “down to the hard work of working parties involved in its organisation from the outset, and the support received from Hailsham Town Council members and staff, Hailsham Rotary Club, Hailsham Parish Church, Hailsham FM, Hailsham Community College and of course, the many traders who booked stalls on the day. Many thanks to all those involved in helping to create such a bustling and festive atmosphere again this year.”

Cllr Holbrook added: “We also hope you find the time to do some Christmas shopping in Hailsham and visit our Christmas Market on Saturday 14th December. We’re certainly getting into the Christmas spirit again and, having received encouraging feedback from shoppers and stallholders at the Christmas Market in recent years, we’re looking forward to doing it all again and making the event an even bigger success.”