By Lutterworth Mail | Posted 28 November, 2012
THE FESTIVE period was launched in Harborough with the help of two special guests well experienced in bringing light to the town.
Harborough’s Christmas lights were switched on last Friday in front of 500 people who gathered on The Square to see the annual spectacle.
The tree, which is sponsored by Market Harborough Building Society, was lit up by Olympic torchbearers Rob Gomez and Dean Barnett.
Joining them on stage were Elliott Crocker (10) and Sam Canham (9), winners of a building society prize draw to win the right to help with the ceremony.
There were more people at the event than last year and spectators were treated to a host of entertainment.
There were carols from Market Harborough C of E Primary and Meadowdale Primary schools, and a performance by a Harborough Ukulele group. Carol sheets were handed out to the crowds, courtesy of the building society.
Harborough Improvement Team’s Chris Sewart, who was one of the organisers, said the Ukulele players were appreciated by the crowd and that they helped put a new twist on traditional favourites such as Jingle Bells and Silent Night.
Also performing on the night were members of the town’s The Youth Theatre group.
Harborough FM hosted the evening and when the choirs, thespians and Ukulele players were not performing, Christmas tunes could be heard ringing out from its roadshow stage.
Mince pies and mulled wine were laid on by the building society with money raised going to Leicester hospice charity LOROS.
A total of £262.29 was raised.
