Last updated 16:42, Thursday, 20 November 2008

Bellingham and District Trade and Tourism Association succeeded beyond their wildest dreams in painting the town red on Friday night.

The light show was a resounding success, with vast crowds gathering to see buildings in Manchester Square lit up with a wide variety of images and colours. Northumberland Lights have to be thanked for the fantastic display they arranged. It was reported that visitors to Kielder even came down to see the lights in Bellingham, and many faces not seen in the village for some time were present to witness the spectacle. The town hall was buzzing with activity – some said they had not seen as busy since the Millennium – and all the stall holders reported excellent takings and interest in what they had to offer. Bellingham-based recording artistes Landermason performed some brilliant music, everyone was able to enjoy a diverse entertainment programme, to such an extent that the event went on much longer than originally planned. It was great to see the town hall full of life once again with everyone catching up with one another and making the most of the night. Representatives of Northumberland National Park Authority were there taking photographs of the event, which was great to see, and the association would like to thank the authority for its continued support and enthusiasm. Buoyed by the success of this event, the traders are now full of enthusiasm for the next big event, the traditional Christmas Shopping Night which will be held on the evening of December 10. All the shops will be open late, with Santa’s Grotto, trade stands and live entertainment in the town hall. So come along and make the evening an even bigger success than the last one.

THERE were high hopes that the future of the vacant Premier Store would have been sorted out in time for the Christmas trade, but there are still a few i’s to dot and t’s to cross, it seems.

THE Christmas fair season is in full swing at the local churches, with two down and one to go. Normally reliable sources report that the Co-op could be in there early in the New Year though. The Catholics started the ball rolling a couple of weeks ago, with Father McKenna reportedly delighted with the proceeds of his first festive fair. It was the turn of the Methodists on Saturday, who were even more thrilled with their wonderful total of £1,010. Tomorrow, it’s the Anglicans’ turn, with St Cuthbert’s Christmas Fair in the town hall at 2pm. I am assured by those who know that this could be the best of the lot!

IT was a dramatic morning on the roads on Friday, with screaming sirens and the clatter of the air ambulance bringing a chill to the air. A car was on its roof near White Wall Nook, and another crashed into a tree beyond Lanehead shortly afterwards I don’t know the circumstances, but let’s hope no-one was too badly hurt.