Stone Life December 2013/January 2014 | Page 14

STONE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ‘Seasons greetin Town celebrates Christmas lights switch on in style S tone got into the spirit of Christmas as thousands of revellers packed out the High Street for the highly anticipated switching on of the town’s Christmas lights. The weather was the ideal combination of cold but dry for the event on Thursday 14th November, which saw a host of varied musical entertainment taking to the stage throughout the evening entertaining the crowds who came out in their droves to welcome the start of the Christmas festivities. Fairground rides, food vendors and stalls lined the High Street, some selling their wares and others representing local groups and organisations many of which were doing a stirling job rasing money for various worthwhile charities including the Rotary Club, who were raising funds for the Shelter Box appeal to send aid to the Philippines following 14 December 2013/ January 2014 the devastation caused in the wake of typhoon Haiyan. Many of the shops remained open late to take advantage of the throngs of people visiting the town while Stafford Radio provided a seasonal soundtrack for the night broadcasting live from the event from 5pm. Live music in the form of The Stone Combined Schools Choir, local covers band The Fubars, Christ Church Academy pupil Holly Smith, Taut, Phoenix and Harmonix, and ever popular EverYoung, entertained the crowd which well and truly got into the Christmas spirit of the occasion. There was something for all ages to enjoy on the night with the wonderful atmosphere continuing even after the town mayor Jill Piggott assisted by music act EverYoung officially switched on the lights at 7pm,