03/12/12……Russell Grant’s audience counts down to Christmas

CHRISTMAS in Thame officially began on Friday (30/11) after thousands gathered in the town centre to see TV Astrologer and ?Strictly? competitor, Russell Grant, switch on the town?s Christmas lights.

Assisted by the Mayor, Nigel Champken Woods, Russell, who is currently appearing in Peter Pan at The Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury, lead the countdown before pressing the plunger that lit up the town, to the delight of the crowd.

The Thame Stagecoach school dancers had launched the stage show earlier with a very classy performance, followed by the joint Thame primary schools? choir then the Thame Chamber Choir who were both accompanied by the Thame Concert Band – playing their instruments in gloves ? entertaining the crowds before the ?big moment’. After the grand switching on, Li?ll Bill?s Big Band turned up the beat with their rich and brassy rendering of some classic rock and pop numbers.

Tony Long and members of this year’s Thame Players’ pantomime, Humpty Dumpty, made a appearance and three founding members of the ‘Toogle‘ help and information website, introduced their charitable collaboration to the people of Thame.

This was the last year that Reg Moss, who has been looking after the technical side of this annual event for several years, would be in charge of the buttons and switches, and a loud cheer went up from all around in appreciation of his contribution.

Judging by the increased size of the crowd at this year?s event, closing the High Street to traffic and inviting stallholders to sell their wares, seems to have paid off. As well as cake and hot food stalls, Christmas textiles and other seasonal ?goodies?, an artificial ice rink and temporary skateboard ramp added to the gaiety of the atmosphere and gave visitors of all ages plenty to do before the stage show began. Several local charities and community groups also set up stalls to help raise awareness and raise vital funds, including the Thame Wombles and the Thame and District Twinning Association.

The celebration came to an explosive end with a firework display before the crowds drifted home, chilly but happy, and Thame town centre was miraculously cleared and returned to its usual Friday night revelries, but illuminated, within less than an hour and a half.

A Merry Christmas from Thame!