By Olivia Dobson
HORSFORTH CHRISTMAS lights switch-on will take place on Saturday – with residents hoping for a more impressive spectacle after a “disappointing” display last year.
Dawn Collins, who sits on Leeds City Council and Horsforth Town Council, said: “The Christmas lights are paid for by the town council.
“Last year the town council used LED lights which were a bit of a disappointment.”
Valerie Wood-Robinson, Labour town councillor said: “After the disappointment last year we are putting more money into buying the lights and buying better quality ones.
“We are also going to have a disabled enclosure to help disabled people so they don’t have to stand in the main crowd.”
Local businesses also help to pay for the lights, sometimes by providing the electricity.
The event will also include carol singing by local schoolchildren and local choir All For One will be performing.
There will be Christmas lights on Town Street and Christmas trees lit on the green. On New Road Side there will be four trees which will be lit and Father Christmas has promised to make an appearance.
Julie Sue, acting clerk of Horsforth Town Council, said: “We are hoping for a good turn out this year. There will be three local school choirs performing from Broadgate, New Laithes and St Mary’s primary schools.”
There will be 12 children from St Mary’s singing at the event. Staff say the children love going and it is a great community event.
Helen Garnett, founder of All For One Choir who will be directing the choir on the Saturday, said: “The choir performed last year and members of the choir thought it was fantastic, they really enjoyed it.”
The choir is also performing at Harlow Carr and Rodley Christmas lights.
Aire Valley Tree Services sponsor one of the trees outside their office as they have been doing for a number of years.
Blilent Yalcin, manager at La Bistro restaurant, said: “The Christmas lights have already come up on the street. We sponsor Horsforth in Bloom and the Christmas lights. However, I don’t think the Christmas spirit is as strong this year.”
A spokesman for Holy Spokes bike shop added: “We have sponsored the electricity since the shop opened four years ago and provide the power for the Christmas lights as they plug it through their shop window.”
West Yorkshire Deputy Lord Lieutenant Gordon Tollesfon will be turning on the Horsforth Christmas lights. The event is scheduled to start at 3.30pm and finish at 5pm.