Thame crowds brave the rain for the ‘Ken and Jen’ Christmas lights show!

HUNDREDS of people flocked to Thame town centre on Friday to join the Mayor and BBC personality, Ken Bruce, for the switching on of the town’s Christmas lights 2009.

Despite the pouring rain, local families and visitors stood for over two hours for a spectacular stage show which included Britain’s Got Talent semi finalist, Merlin Cadogan, who entralled the crowd with his fire juggling, plate spinning, magic cucumber chopping and amazing card trickery, with the help of the the Mayor herself, Jeannette Matelot Green.

Cllr Don Butler teamed up with Ken Bruce as Masters of Ceremony, seamlessly (well, almost) linking each part of the show with banter and encouragement.

Thame junior schools kicked off the show with Christmas songs, accompanied by the Thame Concert Band, followed by Thame Players with a taster of their Panto, Toad of Toad Hall. Terry Gleed, currently appearing in Jack and the Beanstalk at Aylesbury Civic Centre, made everone forget about the rain with his beautiful singing and the Mayor, herself no mean chanteuse, gamely led the community singing despite recovering from a cold.

The visitors from Thame’s twin town of Montesson with their crepes and wine, and other refreshment stalls, were kept busy all evening, and the celebrations came to a traditional close with a blessing from Reverend Chambers.

Firewords and an early visit from Father Christmas, taking a break from toy making in Lapland, sent everyone home with a smile, feeling well and truly in festive spirit and ready for the preparations and celebrations ahead.