CHRISTMAS has arrived in Saddleworth! Villages are welcoming in the festive season with a host of switch-on events to light up communities, businesses and homes.
In Delph, High Street was packed out as locals gathered for entertainment including Oldham Scottish Pipe Band and Delph Band before the parade, led by Father Christmas, to switch on the three tree lights then the fireworks finale.
Dobcross welcomed in the festive season with locals gathering to meet Father Christmas and sing carols, accompanied by Dobcross Brass Monkeys, before the countdown and switch-on.
Pictures thanks to Carl Royle
In Greenfield, guest of honour Linda Finan, who is stewardess of Boarshurst Band Club, enjoyed the honour of switching on the lights at the event organised by GGRA and Street Scene.
There was entertainment from Soul Sounds Saddleworth vocal group and Greenfield Brass Brand, Christmas carols and free mince pies and mulled wine to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.
Residents in Scouthead and Austerlands gathered by The Three Crowns pub to enjoy the switch-on event, with the honours carried out by Geoffrey Fielding.
Oldham Band (Lees) played carols to get everyone in a festive mood as they tucked into mulled wine, mince pies and nibbles at the pub.
Pictures thanks to Carl Royle
Meanwhile in Lees, there was festive fun and treats at the Christmas Markets, hosted by Milan Bar over three days, and the switch-on.
The Deputy Mayor of Oldham Jenny Harrison and Oldham Youth Mayor Samah Khalil officially opened the markets after St. Thomas’ Leesfield CE Primary School Choir performed a few carols, including one in sign language.
Visitors could buy a wide range of gifts and refreshments, visit Father Christmas and Mother Christmas in their grotto and hear entertainment from brass bands and local choirs including St Thomas’ and Hodge Clough Glee Club.
Following festive tunes from Oldham Band Lees, Santa switched on Lees’ lights.
In total £850 was raised for the LSG Business Hub to be used for the community, including paying for the new colourful tree lights and Whit Friday band funds.
Pictures by Pictureful of Memories
In Denshaw, Father Christmas handed out presents to children and Delph Brass Band led the cheerful carols as locals thronged the crossroads at Huddersfield Road.
Everyone joined in the countdown to switch on the Christmas tree lights, adding to the shining decorations already on numerous homes and businesses.
Meanwhile in Grotton, festive carols rang out loud from the gathering at the tree by the junction of Oldham Road and Grotton Hollow.
Then Father Christmas made a special visit to turn on the lights and bring Christmas cheer.
Pictures by Carl Royle
In Diggle, celebrations started at Diggle Band Club, with singing by Diggle School Choir and mulled wine and mince pies for the adults.
Afterwards there was a procession to the Christmas tree where Reverend Godfrey Adams led a short service.
Diggle B Band accompanied the carols and children lit their Christingles which they made at school the week before.
Then poetry competition winners Ava Johnson and Emilia Heap carried out the honour of switching on the Christmas lights.
Pictures by Carl Royle
Pictures by Janet Iles
Elsewhere in Lydgate, there were carols around the tree as residents gathered to get their festive season officially underway with help from Love Lydgate and Saddleworth Rotary Club.
Henry Ogden, a pupil at St Anne’s CE Primary School, switched on the lights before everyone enjoyed a visit from Santa, and mulled wine and mince pies in the Parish Hall.
Pictures by Carl Royle
In Uppermill, the first Christmas Markets were hosted by Saddleworth Round Table as part of their annual Winter Wonderland event with music, entertainment and the switch-on.
Saddleworth Morris Men pulled Santa in his sleigh from Saddleworth Museum to the Square for carol singing before the switch-on and a fireworks finale.
Adding a poignant note to the event, a star was placed in memory of Round Table stalwart and local butcher Paul Lowcock on top of the Christmas tree in the Square.
Pictures by Carl Royle
The festive fun in Uppermill also saw the return of Round Table’s Santa Dash which saw more than 1,500 Santas of all ages take on the 2k or 5k challenge, raising £13,000 for charities.
Pictures by Carl Royle
Elsewhere, in Springhead the Christmas tree at the junction of Ashbrook Road and Oldham Road was switched on to bring festive cheer to the village.
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