HUNDREDS of shoppers and residents witnessed Epsom's Christmas lights switch-on event at the Market Place on Thursday, November 22.
Natasha Grace, from Auriol Junior School, winner of the festive poster competition, Mayor of Epsom & Ewell, Cllr Christine Long, and the cast of The Night Before Christmas helped switched on the Christmas tree and Clock Tower lights.
For just one night, Santa made the Grotto in the Clock Tower his home and delighted around 143 children, who queued up to meet him and receive a gift with a special photograph.
A total of £500 was raised from Santa's Grotto and the proceeds will go to MERU, an Epsom-based charity that designs and provides bespoke equipment for children and young people with disabilities.
Santa also raised £230 for Headley Court, which he nominated for traders to donate towards in exchange for his Grotto services.
The hundreds of people that attended were treated to live music from Epsom Silver Band and a number of local choirs, including Broken Switch from Realistic Rock, Epsom Chamber Choir, The Rock Choir and Jenny Green.
The Mayor of Epsom & Ewell, Cllr Christine Long, said: "The brilliant festive atmosphere at the Christmas lights switch on event was a fantastic opportunity for everyone to get together and celebrate the countdown to the big day.
"A huge thank you to all the characters from our local pantomimes and the Hobbledown team for making the evening so special – the children had a wonderful time.
"We would also like to thank The Best of Epsom and Ewell for sponsoring Santa's Grotto, Homebase for the Grotto decorations, The Rainbow Leisure Centre for supporting the ice rink, The Personal Agents for sponsoring the caricature artist, KT Partnership mortgage brokers for the special light plunger for the switch on and of course all our officers at the Depot and at the Town Hall whose hard work helped make it an enjoyable and memorable evening."
Christmas festivities continue across Epsom & Ewell:
Ewell Yule, Friday, December 7: An evening of late night Christmas shopping in Ewell Village with many shops staying open until 8pm offering a variety of food and drink including special promotions and entertainment. The evening will also feature The Epsom & Ewell Silver Band, carols from local choirs, Santa's Grotto in stores Greenfields and Home Sweet Home, a model railway display and also a chance to buy Christmas trees. Proceeds from various activities will go to different charities.
Stoneleigh Broadway, Friday, December 7, 4pm – 8pm: Sponsored by the Stoneleigh and Auriol Residents' Association, everyone is welcome to an evening of late night shopping at Stoneleigh Broadway which will be lit with Christmas lights and feature Santa, carol singers, a Barber Shop Quartet, live music, street clowns, hot food stalls and entertainment.
Traditional Market, Sunday 9 – Monday, December 24: The traditional general goods market on Thursday and Saturday will feature all week long in the run up to Christmas in the Market Place, Epsom.
The Local Enterprise Market, Sunday, December 23, 10am - 4pm: The Local Enterprise Market in partnership with The Best of Epsom and Ewell returns to the Market Place, Epsom in time for Christmas. Local businesses are invited to come and trade for free in Epsom Town Centre in the run up to Christmas.
There will also be free parking on Sunday's in central Epsom Council car parks.
