Pudsey Bear joined Father Christmas to add to the excitement in Ramsey when the Christmas lights on the tree sponsored by Britannia International in Parliament Square were switched on in the early evening of Friday November 16th to coincide with this year’s Children in Need campaign.

Mince pies, mulled wine and Christmas carols playing in the town hall foyer set the scene on Friday November 16th before the Royal British Legion's Poppy Princess Alex Walker, 10, switched on the lights, assisted by her deputy Aalin Penketh, seven, Pudsey, Santa, Britannia International’s Rachel Smith and chairman of Ramsey Town Commissioners Captain Nigel Malpass who said: ‘The organisers were overwhelmed by the level of community support for the event which went far beyond anyone’s expectations.  Although everyone clearly enjoyed the event allowances will have to be made in future for the numbers attending the celebrations which, from next year, will revert to the Courthouse grounds.

‘Christmas is now officially launched in Ramsey where there’s to be a programme packed full of events and activities right up to the Big Day. Ramsey Chamber of Commerce and the town’s traders have joined forces to ensure that Ramsey is the place to be this Christmas, with Santa in his grotto on four separate occasions and a Santa Trail on Sunday December 9th when shops will be open in the afternoon and a section of Parliament Street will be closed for make way for street entertainment and a hog roast. These are difficult times for retailers so I would urge everyone to support their local traders, not only at Christmas but throughout the year.’

Photo caption - Lights, camera…Christmas! Royal British Legion's Poppy Princess Alex Walker, 10, switches on the Christmas tree lights, assisted by her deputy Aalin Penketh, seven, Pudsey, Santa, Britannia International’s Rachel Smith and chairman of Ramsey Town Commissioners Captain Nigel Malpass. Picture Andrew Barton.