wigton christmas lights

Wigton Christmas Lights

Rory Stewart MP for Penrith and the Border switched on Wigton’s
Christmas lights on Saturday 27th November in front of hundreds of
Wigton residents. After spending the afternoon watching a musical
concert at Wigton’s Methodist Church and walking and chatting to
stallholders in the town’s festive street-market, Rory led a walkabout
parade around the town centre alongside Wigton’s mayor Brian Warren
and local County Councillor Joe Cowell, accompanied by Nelson
Thomlinson School’s Sambandits drum band. A traditional carol service
followed the parade, with Rory joined by Joseph star Craig Chalmers on
stage for the countdown to the lights switch-on.

The MP for Penrith and the Border said he was delighted to be back at
Wigton, and commented: “Wigton is a very special place for me, and I
am proud to represent it. It was great to see the community coming
together to celebrate their town at this time of year. Despite the
fierce cold, there was a real feeling of public spirit, warmth and
pride in Wigton, which is especially apt as I have recently lent my
support to the Pride in Wigton campaign. Today really showcased all
that Wigton has going for it: its history and traditions, its young
people – a real credit to Nelson Thomlinson School – its community
spirit and, above all, its enormous potential. It has been a fantastic
day and I am honoured to be here. The music from the steel bands and
the rock group was a great example of how to include young people and
make a traditional festival fun, without losing its essence and
tradition.”

Councillor Joe Cowell said: “We are very grateful to Rory for coming
to support the people of Wigton and hope this is the first of many
times Rory will help to switch on our Christmas lights. It means a
great deal to the townspeople that our local MP continues this long
tradition. Since his election, Rory has been in Wigton on a number of
occasions confirming his support for the town’s future developments.
His recent visits included a tour of Innovia Films where he met
production workers along with the Chairman and the Managing Director.
He took time to meet youngsters from Thomlinson Junior School who were
helping to plant thousands of purple crocus bulbs through the Wigton
Rotary Club, as part of the ‘Pride in Wigton’ campaign, and also
attended Nelson Thomlinson School where he held two sessions with Year
Twelve pupils discussing his times in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as
his time as an MP. He has also met with members of the Town Council
and the Wigton Development Partnership to discuss a number of projects
and has promised to assist and lend support where he can. It is hoped
that Rory will be a regular visitor to Wigton where he is sure to
receive a very warm welcome from the townspeople.”