X Factor star lined up for build-up to Christmas lights switch-on in Ludlow
Excitement is building for Christmas in Ludlow where the town council has announced that an X Factor star will be singing in the build-up to the switch on of the festive lights.
Russell Jones, who grew up in Pontypool, vowed the judges in 2017 and even appeared on Britain's Got Talent in 2012 as part of the group, Only Boys Aloud.
A spokesman for Ludlow Town Council said: "Our Christmas tree has been picked out and we are excited to confirm that ‘Russell Jones’ who has performed with artists like ‘The Saturdays’ and ‘Ellie Goulding’ and has recently been performing on the XFactor will be singing on the Sunshine Radio stage in the build up to the lights switch on."
This festive season is shaping up to be a cracker in the south Shropshire town. A huge winter festival on the long weekend of November 25-27 is being put together by a host of organisations.
Organisations have rallied round to run festive markets on the square over the entire weekend with a Christmas bazaar and craft market in St Laurence’s Church and a Makers’ Market in the castle.
The collaborating organisations include Ludlow Town Council, Ludlow Chamber of Commerce, Ludlow Castle, St Laurence’s Church, Ludlow Fringe and Love Ludlow as well as many local businesses.
Events will kick off on the Friday evening with a festive tractor run through the town, organised by Orleton Young Farmers, with a community evening from 5pm to 9pm featuring a beer, pizza and open mic night in St Laurence’s.
The Saturday is going to be jam-packed with exciting events around the town centre, such as Santa’s Grotto with his reindeer, a free lantern-making workshop and the Sunshine Radio stage, which will feature Jack and the Beanstalk characters and live music from local choirs, and Russell Jones.
The switching-on of the lights will be happening at 5pm on the Saturday, shortly followed by the Rotary Tree Of Light switch-on, before the castle opens its doors for the Festival of Light. Closing the winter festival on November 27 at 7.30pm there will be a night of comedy at Ludlow Brewery, with comedians Tal Davies, Noel James and special guest Alistair McGowan with Paul Jennings as compere.
