Pudsey Bear and characters from the hit Disney movie Frozen joined Father Christmas to add to the festive excitement in Ramsey when the Christmas tree lights in the Courthouse Gardens and Parliament Square were switched on in the early evening of Saturday Friday November 15th to coincide with this year's Children in Need campaign.
Chairman of Ramsey Town Commissioners Captain Nigel Malpass led the countdown with Princess Elsa and Olaf the snowman switching on the Christmas lights. Captain Malpass praised the event as a true community effort between the Commissioners and the Ramsey Chamber of Commerce, with the support of tree sponsors Ramsey Rotary Club and Island Drainage and Groundwork Limited. He said: ‘Princess Elsa, Olaf, Father Christmas and Pudsey were very busy all afternoon with long queues forming for those wanting photographs. It was a fantastic day and proves just how versatile the regenerated Courthouse area is and what a super location it provides for entertainment.’
Steven Bevan, speaking on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, said: ‘We were pleased that so many people came to Ramsey to join us for the lights switch on. The estimated crowd of more than 1500 enjoyed performances by Roc Vannin, Bunscoill Rhumsaa and Ramsey Town Band; this was a great community event enjoyed by families from all over the Island.’
Ramsey Chamber of Commerce is also organising the Santa Trail on Sunday 7th December when many businesses will be open between 12 noon and 5pm, there will be stalls in the street, a charity market in St Paul’s Square and, of course, the Santa Trail treasure hunt with hundreds of pounds in prizes.
There will also be late-night opening on the three Fridays in December leading up to Christmas, with more than 40 businesses opening until 8pm.
For full details of the Santa Trail and late-night opening visit www.facebook.com/whatsonramsey.
Photo - Ramsey Town Commissioners’ chairman Captain Nigel Malpass with commissioner and Ramsey Chamber of Commerce representative Steven Bevan, Pudsey Bear, Princess Elsa and Peter Corteen, eight, representing tree sponsor Island Drainage and Groundwork Limited. Picture Andrew Barton.
