Olympians take centre stage as Stafford is lit up for Christmas

16/11/2024

Local Olympic heroes Joe Clarke and Dan Bigham turned on the Christmas lights in front of around 10,000 people in Stafford on Saturday.

The Paris Olympic silver medal winners joined the Mayor of the Borough, Councillor Frank James, on stage in the Market Square to light up the skies around the town centre.

The afternoon kicked off with street entertainment, live music, Christmas songs, and stars from this year's Stafford Gatehouse Theatre panto, Jack and the Beanstalk, including CBBC legend Mark Rhodes, before the stage was set for the big countdown at 5pm. That was followed by a spectacular firework display and then more live music to bring the hugely popular event to a close.

Stalls and fairground rides lined the streets of the town centre through the day and Father Christmas also made an appearance at an event which launches the traditional countdown to December 25th.

The lights also lit up the 40ft Christmas Tree in the town's 'Square' where the main action took place. The event is sponsored by Davisons Law and organised by Freedom Leisure on behalf of Stafford Borough Council.

Canoeist, Joe, had already turned on the Christmas Lights eight years ago after striking gold at Rio 2016. He added to his achievements with a silver in Kayak Cross this summer.

And this time he was accompanied by cyclist Dan Bigham, who was part of the silver-medal winning pursuit team at Paris and described the opportunity as "a bit of a dream and a nice way to end a wonderful year."

Leader of the borough council, Aidan Godfrey, invited all the Olympians to the Christmas event after hearing a radio interview where Dan quipped shortly after winning his medal that maybe he would "get to flick the local Christmas Lights on one day."

Joe and Dan attended Alleyne's High School in Stone.

Dan said: "To be offered to turn on the Stafford Christmas Lights, it may sound cheesy, but it's like a dream come true."

Director of Davisons Law in Stafford, Anthony Myles, said: "For us, the start of the Christmas period is when the Christmas lights are switched on in a town as the entire town has a different feel, a buzz of excitement, a sense of community that perhaps isn't quite as strong throughout the rest of the year and a real warmth - despite the dropping temperature.

"It is for that reason that I am delighted that Davisons Law are sponsoring the Stafford Christmas Light Switch On which sets off the festive celebrations."

The Mayor said he hoped everyone would have a very Happy Christmas and that it was a privilege to be joining the Olympic heroes on the stage to turn the lights on in front of thousands of families, residents and visitors.

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