Actress brings light to a wet winter night

2:20pm Monday 3rd December 2007

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AN ABUNDANCE of festive spirit shone through as the people of Tadley braved the weather for the town's annual Christmas lights switch-on.

Despite being lashed with rain and high winds, residents, councillors, the MP for North West Hampshire and the borough mayor all turned out on Friday to watch the town's Christmas tree lit up by Carol Harrison. Miss Harrison is playing the wicked queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at The Anvil in Basingstoke throughout the festive season.

The event had to be moved inside the Ambrose Allen Centre, in Franklin Avenue, due to the dismal weather.

Tadley Band performed traditional carols and there were a variety of stalls and activities to keep the assembled crowd entertained.

Councillor David Leeks, chairman of the Christmas working party at Tadley Town Council, was the master of ceremonies for the evening and managed to arrange for the lights to be turned on remotely.

Residents did the all-important countdown via mobile phone from the Ambrose Allen Centre.

"Everything went extremely well, considering the weather," he said.

"We had about 250 people there, which was a brilliant turnout, and everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves."

Carol Harrison, best known for her role as Tiffany's mum in EastEnders, was presented with a Tadley besom to thank her for attending.

MP for North West Hampshire, Sir George Young, was also presented with one of the famous brooms.

Borough mayor Councillor Warwick Lovegrove was presented with a padlock for his bike, which was recently stolen from outside the Ambrose Allen Centre.

Cllr Leeks thanked local firm John Stacey and Sons for stepping in to help put up the tree at the last minute.

"They really saved the day because our usual people couldn't make it," he explained.

"Tadley really pulled together and made the event a great success," he said.