Santa rides through Shropshire town on a yellow submarine for Christmas light switch-on party with a difference

The wet weather matched the aquatic theme of this year’s colourful lantern parade through Ellesmere town centre on Friday evening - but the heavy rain didn’t dampen the festive spirit among the crowds thronging the streets for the official switch-on of the Christmas illuminations and the Rotary Club’s Tree of Light.

Pupils from Ellesmere primary school, the Cellar Church choir and a brass band braved the downpours to provide musical entertainment, with carols and seasonal songs.

Ninety-two-year-old Trish Pritchard won a special round of applause as she braved the showers to perform the switching-on ceremony on behalf of the Ellesmere League of Friends. The volunteer group, which runs a shop in Scotland Street, has been named the town’s 2024 Community Champion for its remarkable charity work over more than 50 years.

Trish, who helped to found the group in 1973, was accompanied by the Mayor, Councillor Graham Hutchinson, and the High Sheriff of Shropshire, Brian Welty, who lives in Ellesmere.

Together they announced the winner of the best decorated shop window competition, Courtyard Interiors, with Quaintly British named runner-up and Ismay’s winning the public vote.

After arriving at The Wharf by boat, Father Christmas climbed aboard another vessel for his journey through the town centre – a bright yellow submarine, created by the Fizzgigs community arts group, which organised the lantern parade. He was supported by dozens of children and adults carrying carrying lanterns and multi-coloured sea creatures, made at two special workshops in the weeks leading up to the festival.

The parade finished at the market hall, where Santa resumed handing out presents from his grotto, which was packed with shoppers looking for Christmas gifts, crafts, produce and other goods on sale from more than 40 stalls. Across the town centre, most shops, cafes and other local businesses stayed open late to serve visitors who flocked to Ellesmere from a wide area to enjoy an early start to the Christmas celebrations.

The event was organised by Alex AJ Hunter, managing director of Project SY12, the community interest group, which runs the market hall, working in partnership with local traders and community organisations.