The 9th December saw some 50 brave souls venture into the cold night air to witness the Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
This now annual event hosted by the Burghwallis parish councillors is a favourite with many residents and visitors from Skellow and Carcroft. It is especially good to see a selection of children joining in.
Father Richard Walton and our new Deacon Reverend Chris Herbert gave the Blessing as the lights on the tree were turned on.
Signing carols helped to fend off any memories of frozen extremities, and brought a degree of poignancy to the lyrics; bleak mid winters, clear frosty nights and all. The free hot mulled wine and mince pies were both significant of the Christmas spirit as well as a life saving element. Looking back the weather was a whole better than last year which saw the heavens open and everyone huddled under brollies.
Ironically the event hosted by the parish councillors was to the benefit of the residents. Maybe we the residents should host the event as a thank to the councillors who give up so much of their free time during the year. Just a thought.
The parish council would like also to thank local residents for their help in decorating the tree, and, specifically, Brian Bennett and Heinz Offermanns for helping to erect, secure, and “down” the tree and for installing the lights, and also Carol Spiller for the “loan” of electricity to power the lights.