Panto stars ready to shine at Telford Christmas lights switch-on
Panto stars will be on hand when a district's Christmas lights are switched on in an area of Telford.
The cast of Sleeping Beauty at Oakengates Theatre will be taking a break from rehearsals to join the residents of St Georges in Telford for the festive lights switch-on on December 2.
This year's panto will run from December 7 to December 31 and will feature Bernie Clifton, a former star of television and the cabaret circuit. Members of the cast will join a nominated member of the local community to switch on the lights.
There will be live music and entertainment, stalls, children's rides and a grotto to keep the crowds entertained on the day.
The event will run from 3pm to 6.30pm and the lights will be switched on at 6.30pm.
Telford & Wrekin councillor Richard Overton, chairman of St Georges Partnership, said: "The Christmas lights switch-on last year was a huge success and we are hoping to build on this with more stalls, more support from businesses, local stakeholders like the church and chapel and some more lights from the parish council.
"Christmas is a time of peace to all and to bring the community together at this time is good for community cohesion.
"The businesses in the town centre have really got behind the Christmas lights this year which is fantastic, and we want to say a big thank you to the shops and business in Church Street for opening a little later on the night of the switch-on.
"This year we will be supporting the charity STAY that has a presence in St Georges. The theme is homelessness at Christmas.
"We all know that Christmas is about friends and family and togetherness so it would be great to raise both awareness and funds to support those who have no home or nowhere to go this Christmas."
