Town Plans Ambitious Christmas Celebration

Plans include turning a small number of unused retail outlets into "˜pop-up shops' for the week, with Christmas markets, an acoustic "˜live lounge' and community workshops amongst the programme.

There will also be events on the Market Place, including carol singing from local schools and the annual lights switch on.

The charity is looking to involve Bedlington traders in the ambitious 'Light up Bedlington' umbrella project, in order to offer residents and visitors from across the region the opportunity to celebrate the start of the Christmas period in the town in style.

Lyn Horton, manager of Leading Link, said: "We are a small charity which believes in big projects, and this is turning out to be one of our most ambitious projects to date."

"Bedlington is an area which often sits in the shadows of its neighbours and "˜Light up Bedlington' week is a fantastic opportunity to showcase everything that the town has to offer."

"From schools and community groups, to traders, young people and their families getting involved, this will be one of the town's biggest Christmas celebrations of the last five years."

The week will culminate with an array of family fun and entertainment on the Market Place on Wednesday 26th November, with the official switching on of the Bedlington Christmas lights.

The community celebration, which will run from 4pm-6pm, will feature live entertainment, children's fun fair rides, a local enterprise market, hot food and drink and a chance to visit Santa's Grotto.

As well as all of this, Leading Link are once again giving local people in the town the opportunity to decide who officially switches on the Christmas lights as part of the event.

Last year's 'Xmas Lights Factor' took the town by storm, and an overwhelming 4500 votes were cast via an online poll.

The winner, with almost half of the votes, was 5 year old Holly Jones, whose story of inspiration and determination after an extremely difficult start to her life caught the hearts of the local community.

Jonny Hall, Assistant Manager of Leading Link, said: "Holly's inspirational story is in essence what the community of Bedlington is all about."

"This year we want to highlight the work of those that strive to improve the Bedlington area and so are looking for one of the town's community groups to take centre stage at the switch-on."

"If you know a charitable cause, community group or society that you think deserves to flick the giant switch in front of a packed Market Place at the celebration, then nominate them today!"

To nominate a group to switch on the lights simply fill in the form at www.leadinglink.co.uk/xmas or contact the Leading Link team on 01670 820088 to register your nomination.

The closing date for nominations is Friday 7th November, where it will be put to a public vote which decides who takes centre stage at the Bedlington Christmas Lights switch-on at the end of November.

Voting will close shortly before the event and the winner will be announced on the night.

Jonny added: "Everyone at Leading Link continues to be truly overwhelmed by community support for our ambitious plans, and we look forward to celebrating the start of the festive period together next month."

You can keep up-to-date with plans for "˜Light up Bedlington' week by following the project's mascot "˜Bedlington Ben' on Twitter (@BedlingtonBen) and Facebook (/BedlingtonBen).