‘The Force’ was with Douglas Borough Council when Darth Vader’s special powers brought the Christmas decorative lighting to life outside Douglas Town Hall on Thursday November 24. The switch-on ceremony, sponsored by Celton Manx, supported by 3FM and presided over by His Worship the Mayor, Councillor Ritchie McNicholl, JP., saw the Star Wars character assisted by his storm troopers mark the start of the festive season with an event featuring solo artist Rebecca Forrest, the cast of Dick Whittington from this year’s pantomime at the Gaiety Theatre and Douglas Town Band. The occasion also provided an opportunity for the Mayor’s chaplain, Rev Les Lawrinson, to lead the spectators in a brief prayer to focus on the true nature of Christmas. Celton Manx executive director Bill Mummery said it was ‘a privilege and a pleasure’ to sponsor the event and that his company was looking forward to further involvement with the Council and its programme of community events. His Worship thanked Celton Manx along with the many other organisations, entertainers and individuals for contributing to the evening’s success and praised the efforts of the Council’s electrical services team for their technical support. Douglas Borough Council Leader Councillor David Christian, JP., said: ‘The Council, in partnership with its sponsors and many supporters, has been able to mount a spectacularly dramatic launch of the festive season that attracted large crowds for an event made all the more glittering through our investment in new decorative lighting in Ridgeway Street which will set the tone for the coming weeks and, I am sure, will be welcomed by both traders and Christmas shoppers.’ ENDS