SANTA, samba, stars and a whole lot more combined to make this year’s Barnard Castle Christmas tree lights switch-on a memorable occasion.
Dubbed Light Up Barnard Castle, more than 200 revellers, young and old, took part in a lantern parade from Hall Street to the castle, with members of the Back Beat Samba, from Jack Drum Arts, in Crook, at the head of the procession.
The parade made its way into the castle grounds where the lanterns – made during a series of workshops organised by the TCR Hub – were hung in front of the beautifully illuminated ruins.
Then it was back to Scar Top where a host of entertainment had been lined up.
Penella Bee dazzled with her illuminated hoops and a show-stopping fire-filled finale.
Against a seasonal soundtrack provided by Andrew Nicholson, there was a snowglobe to keep everyone entertained and, as always, a queue to meet Santa in his grotto in the Methodist Church Hall.
The Christmas tree lights were switched on by town mayor Cllr Laura Drew with help from her children Cleo, 3, Corinne, 6, and eight-year-old Nathaniel, following a countdown led by town crier Ian Kirkbride.
Activities concluded with a Big Sing accompanied by the brass musicians of the community orchestra from St Mary’s Parish Church.
In keeping with the theme of the evening, two light-related art installations also formed part of the event.
“Love IRL” was a fabricated steel sculpture with colourful fragmented shards in the shape of a heart, which is now on show at the TCR Hub for the next month.
In the castle grounds, artist Stuart Langley displayed his sculptures inspired by the minerals in Killhope Lead Mining Museum’s network of abandoned mines.
Food vendors on Scar Top, refreshments in the Methodist Church Hall and a number of businesses which opened late catered to the large crowd of spectators that assembled to watch the proceedings.
Sarah Gent, from the TCR Hub, described Lighting Up Barnard Castle as a “really magical” event and thanked everyone involved.
“It takes a huge team to pull off something like that,” she said.
“Each and every volunteer, staff member and contributor gave it their all, which made the whole thing a joy to be part of.”
