Blue Peter star Helen Skelton switches on Penrith Christmas lights
Last updated 08:16, Tuesday, 25 November 2008
Penrith, Workington and Cockermouth launched the run-in to Christmas this weekend with the switching on of their festive lights.
Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton pressed the plunger to launch Penrith's lights in front of hundreds of people.
She was asked to step in after traders and organisations managed to raise £16,000 for a town centre display.
It had been feared that the town may be left without a Christmas switch-on after a funding crisis threatened the event.
While Helen was filming the event for the Children’s BBC show, news review programme Panorama were also out and about in the town to film a piece on the credit crunch.
Helen said: “It has been so nice to be back in town, as I have bumped into so many friends.
“It was a nightmare for the camera crew as they have not been able to talk to me as I have been stopping to speak to people all the time.
“I am so glad they got the funding together to put the show on, it is such a good demonstration of community spirit.
“It is so refreshing, you maybe don’t appreciate things like that until you don’t live here any more.”
CFM radio presenter Robbie Dee compered the evening, introducing Helen to the stage along with the school children who sang at the event.
And he gave the 25-year-old, who grew up in Kirby Thore, a glowing introduction.
Helen added: “I was humbled when I was stood up at the front, Robbie Dee built me up so much that I was a bit embarrassed.
“I normally report on things like this, but I’m lucky I get to do a great job, and it was great to switch on the lights.”
As well as the switch-on, Penrith town centre played host to a fun fair, craft stalls, and a Blue Peter stall manned by the crew from the long-running programme.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people lined the streets of Workington and Cockermouth on Sunday for their lights switch ons.
In Workington, children sat on parents’ shoulders to see over the bustling crowds, and people huddled in shop doorways to shelter from the wind.
Some of the younger audience members entered into the festive spirit, sporting Santa hats, tinsel and reindeer antlers.
Skimpily clad Samantha and Emma of ABBA tribute band Swede Dreamz entertained crowds on Pow Street and were followed on stage by Jesse Brown who sang Amazing Grace unaccompanied, and Seaton actor Billy Walker who delighted crowds with songs including Dancing in the Street and Robbie Williams’ Angels.
Also on stage was actor and singer Clark Wilkinson, of Flimby, who will performing alongside Billy in next month’s pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk at The Sands Centre, Carlisle.
For those with more traditional taste, the Dearham Brass Band, local school choirs and church choristers performed Christmas carols under the town’s entertainment space - the Hub.
The lights were switched on by town mayor Bill Councillor Bacon and Victoria Junior School pupil Courtney Birkett, who produced the winning entry in the mayoral Christmas card competition.
In Cockermouth, mayor Isabel Burns along with school children from Fairfield Infants, Fairfield Juniors, All Saints and St Joseph’s, switched on the lights.
The switch-on day, organised by Cockermouth town council, was packed with entertainment that took place on Main Street from 2.15pm and hosted by MC Billy Bowman.
Highlights of the day included a performance from Cockermouth’s leisure centre dance group, Dancing with Divas, fire twirling from Claudio Stahl, carol singing with the Cockermouth Mechanics Band and street entertainer Ryan Davies.
In addition to the on stage entertainment, there were the Belfagan Ladies Morris Dancers and the Cumberland Morris Men as well as many charity stalls.
The lights, which stretch along Main Street, Station Street, Station Road, Kirkgate and Market Place, will stay on until January 5.
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